DURBIN, Ronald Reid "Corky" - b. April 12, 1927 - d. April 13, 2015

[patyrn]

Ronald Reid "Corky" Durbin was born April 12, 1927 in Moline, Kansas, the son of Jack W. and Edith (Lynam) Durbin.  He passed away on April 13, 2015 at Howard Twilight Manor in Howard, Kansas.

Corky attended school in Moline, Kansas.  On September 9, 1944, he was united in marriage to Ella Mae Murphy in Wichita, Kansas.  Shortly thereafter, he joined the Marine Corps and served our country for 16 months and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas.  Ronald and Ella Mae had four children, Sharon Lee, Ronald Reid Jr., Deanna Sue, and Nancy Jolene.

Ronald returned to Moline and worked with his father in ranching and the farming business.  Part of his job was milking cows at the south end of Main Street.  Later he owned and operated the gas station in west Moline.  In the late 1950s, he sold the gas station.  He then started a propane and butane gas business.  During this time, he also owned and operated several oil leases, many in joint venture with other local businessmen.  In 1964, he sold the propane business and concentrated his efforts on oil production and ranching.  In the early 1990s, he was instrumental in promoting and initiating the Durbin Rock Quarry east of Moline.

Ronald was a charter member of American Legion Post #388.  He served as Sergeant-at-Arms, Adjutant, and two terms as Commander.  He conducted well over 100 military graveside services.  Corky was a true patriot.

Ronald was elected Mayor of Moline for two terms.  He served as Municipal Judge, school board member, and was a member of the Watershed Dam Committee.  He also served as Vice-President of the Moline Rodeo Association for many years.  He was an active member of the Moline Flying Club and a member of the Moline High School Alumni Association.

Ronald is survived by his children, Sharon Patteson and husband, Tom, Reid Durbin and wife, Neta, Deanna Cannon and husband, Bill,all of Moline, Kansas,  and Nancy Liebau and husband, Gene of Grenola, Kansas; grandchildren, Cathy Landregan, Wade Patteson, Ronald Reid Durbin III, Denise Spatafore, Robert Durbin, Kristina Pugh, Bill Cannon, Judd Liebau, and Jake Liebau; and 20 great-grandchildren as well as many loving nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by in 2007 by Ella Mae, his beloved wife of 63 years; his parents; and his brothers, Gene Durbin and Jack Durbin.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 17, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Moline United Methodist Church in Moline, Kansas with burial to follow at Moline Cemetery.  Visitation will be held Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.  Memorials have been suggested to the Moline United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #388, or Twilight Manor in Howard, Kansas and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home.  Services are entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)