Emera Mahlon "Stub" Durbin, age 83, a resident of Moline, Kansas, passed away December 27, 2010 at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, Kansas. He was born on April 11, 1927 in rural Moline, the son of Charles Edward and Ruth May (Sheel) Durbin.
Stub was a graduate of Moline High School. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. He worked for a short time as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service after the war. On December 5, 1948, he married Joan Hainlin, and to this union was born four children. On March 27, 1985, Stub married Barbara Bearden in Miami, Oklahoma.
Stub was an independent oilman, clerked at the livestock sales in Moline and Winfield as well as being a farmer and rancher. He and his wife, Barbara, also owned the Crooked Creek Lodge and Swinging Bridge Cafe in Moline. Stub was a member of the Moline United Methodist Church, American Legion, Elk County Rodeo Association, Quail Unlimited, and the Moline High School Alumni. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed a good game of pitch, and most of all, he loved his grandchildren.
Stub is survived by his wife, Barbara of the home; two daughters, Patricia Lanford of Red Oak, Iowa and Roberta Durbin of Moline, Kansas; two sons, Daniel Durbin of Winfield, Kansas and Charles Durbin of Gentry, Arkansas; stepdaughter, Lisa Townsley of Moline, Kansas; stepson, Russell Ratcliff of Moline, Kansas; and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Metta Barnes, Alice Frazier, and Aline Durbin; and one brother Ed Durbin.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Moline United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Moline Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349. Family suggests memorial contributions be made to Moline High School Alumni Scholarship Fund or Elk County Rodeo Association and may be left with the funeral home Online condolences may be left for the family at www.countrysidefh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.
(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)
I am so sorry to hear this news Lisa. Please give your Mom a hug for me.
Stub was our neighbor for many years. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife Barbara, children Dan, Patty, Charles and Roberta along with Lisa and Russell. Stub will be missed. We are sorry for your loss. Dale and Barbara Clubine
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and the family.
God bless and keep you.
We were very sorry to hear that Stub had passed away. I knew he had been in the Hospital. Stub was a lifelong close friend of my brother-in-law, Marion Jacot and I enjoyed hunting and visiting with Stub many times. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
I would also add our sympathy. We've known "Stub" for many years.
Bob & Bonnie
Sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Durbin. He did a lot for the town. He will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear this news, we had hoped he was going to get well. God bless the family, and give them peace.
I, too, was sorry to hear of Stubs passing. He really tried to fight his way back to health, but God said it wasn't to be. Prayers to all his family.
My sympathy to the family. My Dad was a life-long friend of Stub's and Ed's, also. Many good times spent in American Legion and Auxilary. Just good firiends. Stub was a terrific person. He will be missed.
Love, Alice
I have enjoyed very much visiting with Stub when we go into the cafe. He always had some comment to make about me. We talked sports, hunting, and trying to remember peoples names. He alway made me feel at home. Will miss him.
I didn't know Stub until Marvin and I started eating at Swinging Bridge when it was on main street. Knew the name, but don't remember seeing him in person. We continue to eat at least once a week, sometimes more, usually on Thur. nite for what I call Breakfast for Supper. Stub never missed saying "hi, how are you folks" when we walked in. If the waitress and Barbara were busy, up he'd go and bring our menu's, flatware and take our drink order. Made sure no customer had to wait for service. Stub was always sitting at the big round table. Thurs. nites, reading the paper and greeting folks. RIP, Stub ....... Your time on earth has come to a close, but the memories will live on forever. God's love and comfort to his family.
One of the things I was looking forward to doing when I got moved to Elk Co was to visit more with Stub at the restaurant. There aren't many people left who remember my Dad and my Grandfather and I figured he might know some stories.
Stub was definitely a treasure and will be missed by many. Prayers for the family.
Stub Durbin was a super, nice guy. I have known him since high school --- He and Fred were the same age and were both in the Navy at the same time.
I saw him and Barbara at the Christmas concert at West Elk just two days before he went to the hospital. We got to exchange a few words at that time. I could hardly believe he has passed away -- He will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to his loved ones.
Jo
My sincere condolances to the Stub Durbin families...I was fond of Stub...It saddens me greatly to hear of his passing on. I tried to find words to write a poem in honor of him...But my heart is too heavy for it. My thoughts, prayers and best wishes go out to those he had to leave behind.
Sincerely...
Cat