Gene Durren

Gene Durren, 84, of St. Joseph passed away Tuesday, November 16 2010 at his home. A service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday Nov. 20th at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 914 Lane Dr., St. Joseph. The visitation will be from 5-7pm Friday Nov. 19th at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or a charity of your choosing. Those wishing to sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Gene was born March 18th 1926 in Dowagiac MI to March and Marjorie (Paul) Durren. He graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1944. Gene received his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1948. While attending college, he served in the Navy as a part of the V-12 program. On June 26th 1948, he married Joan Meisterheim in Dowagiac MI. Gene worked for Whirlpool Corp for 33 years, retiring at age 55 as Director of Corporate Engineering. He was a long time member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He also served on the board of the Bishop Wittemore Foundation for the Diocese of Western Michigan. Gene was an avid golfer and attended the Masters Tournament with his wife for 10 years. He also served as President of Berrien Hills Country Club. When it came to woodworking, Gene had an amazing ability to create toys, furniture and musical instruments. He also loved books, crossword puzzles and traveling with family. Gene is survived by his wife Joan Durren; brother Jon (Janie) Durren; children Michael (Paula) Durren; Amy Durren; Steven (Janet) Durren; grandchildren Jenna (John) Francis; Sarah (Jason) Paturalski; Rachel (Jacob) LaVanway; Zachary (Jennifer) Durren; Jeremy Durren. Also surviving are great-grandchildren Olivia and Alex Paturalski; Jack and Ruby Francis; sister-in-laws Joan and Judy Durren; and countless other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Lee and Jerry Durren.