LeRoy James Durbin (1921 - 2009)

Born 1 Dec 1921 in Benkelman, Dundy, Nebraska, United States

Ancestors

Died 13 Sep 2009 at age 87 in Benkelman, Dundy, Nebraska, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Arleen Tackett [send private message]

Biography

LeRoy James Durbin was born on December 1, 1921 in Benkelman, Dundy County, Nebraska to Roscoe Charles Durbin and Hazel Blanche DeHart Durbin.

An obituary at Find a Grave Memorial No. 96472837 from The McCook Daily Gazette, Wednesday, September 14, 2009, Page 5 is as follows:

LeRoy James Durbin, 87, of Haigler, died Saturday, September 13, 2009 at Sarah Ann Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman, Nebraska.

He was born December 1, 1921 in Benkelman, Nebraska to Roscoe and Hazel (DeHart) Durbin and moved with his family at a young age. He graduated from eighth grade while at Union, MIssouri. He served his country during World War II in the Army Air Force. He was inducted on Sepember 15, 1942 and received his honorable discharge on January 2, 1946.

In addition to his mechanical abilities, he worked as a contractor for many years.

He was active in the Haigler VFW and was Post Commander for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parent's, Roscoe and Hazel DeHart Durbin; sons, Ned Durbin and Donnie LeRoy Durbin and a brother, Dean Applegate.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Durbin of Haigler, Nebraska, daughter, Kim Durbin of Des Moines, Iowa; sister, Rozella Virginia Wells of Kearney, Nebraska; Donald Durbin of Missouri; three grandchildren, three-great-grandchildren; and Ron Trepacz, a devoted friend whom Roy cared for as his own.

A memorial service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Haigler with the Rev. Chris Farmer officiating. Services will conclude at the church. The family will gather at a later date for a private internment. There will be no visitation or viewing. Forch Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

LeRoy James Durbin was buried at the Bird Cemetery in Bird City, Cheyenne County, Kansas.

Barbara R. Cheesman Durbin was LeRoy's wife at the time of his death. Her Find a Grave Memorial is number 96473887. The date of their marriage is not known but LeRoy James Durbin and Barbara R. Durbin had no children. She died in Colorado and is buried in Illinois.

LeRoy James Durbin's mother, Hazel Blanche DeHart Durbin, passed away on May 27, 1931 at the age of 35, when Leroy was only ten years old. His youngest brother, Vaughn Ronald Durbin, was less than two years old.

At Find a Grave Memorial No. 96465971, LeRoy's brother's explanation of name change to R. Dean Applegate is told.

• When Hazel Blanche DeHart Durbin passed away in 1931, her children were farmed out to different families. Eventually, Vaughn Ronald Durbin was adopted by an Applegate family and took the name of R. Dean Applegate. The Applegates ere Walter A. and lolet L. Wright-Applegate. He was married to Beverly Jo Baker in January of 1947. He lived at Hutchinson, Kansas. LeRoy James Durbin lived with an Aunt and Uncle, Art and Lela (DeHartI) Little, Donald lived with his Uncle Dave Durbin and wife in Missouri. Virginia lived with a family by the name of Johnson at LItchfield, Nebraska. Dean Applegate died October 7, 1963 of a heart attack at home. He is buried at the Fairlawn Cemetery in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Sources

• Find a Grave Memorial No. 96472837

Find a Grave Memorial No. 96473887 Find a Grave Memorial NO. 96465971