Ralph I. Durham, 87, of Freeport, died Monday, October 21, 2013, at Stephenson Nursing Center.
Born April 3, 1926 in Rockford he was the son of Walter and Katie (Lee) Durham.
He married Phyllis Feeley January 7, 1946 and she died March 19, 2007.
Ralph was a local construction worker. He enjoyed the outdoors growing different flowers. Ralph was also famous for his sauerkraut and baking.
He was a WWII Navy veteran.
Surviving are his daughters, Frances Cooper, Shannon, Marcia Hepler all of Freeport; Katie (Dennis) Recoy of Machesney Park, Pam (Saul) Pacheco of Austin, Texas and Lynette Aurand of Pearl City; two sons, Bernard (Laura) Durham and Mark Durham both of Freeport; brothers Walter "Clyde" (Bernadine) of Loves Park and Harold (Lenice) Durham of Rockford; 20 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; several great great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; one daughter, Phyllis Pals; one son, Walter Durham; three sisters, Louis Lippitt, Della Molitor and Daren "Dolly" Atkins; and two brothers, Earl and Edgar Durham.
Visitation will be Friday from 1-5 p.m. at Walker Mortuary.
Funeral service will be 5 p.m. Friday at Walker Mortuary with Reverend Don Jamerson officiating.
Following the service cremation rites will be accorded and his cremated remains will be buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
A memorial has been established in his name