John Durham

John Durham, age 76, of Spillville, IA, died on Tuesday, September 18, 2012, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA. A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2012, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., at the Balik Funeral Home, 211 South Main St., in Spillville, IA. A time of remembrances will be held at 5:00 p.m., on Sunday at the Balik Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the Ossian Senior Hospice 114 Fisher Ave. Ossian Iowa 52161 or Hospice of Winneshiek Co. at 901 Montgomery St. Decorah, Iowa 52101 John Grady Durham was born on April 23, 1936, the son of John H. and Elizabeth (Hogge) Durham in Wilson, North Carolina. John attended school in and served in the US Army from 1954-1957. John worked for Alleghany Airlines in Washington DC and this is where he met Colleen Puffer, they were married, to this union a daughter Lynn was born, they later divorced. In 1975, he married Susan Frana, to this union a son Jason and a daughter Jennifer were born, they later divorced. In 1963, he moved to Spillville and he worked for Central Motors for a time. In 1966, he built his own new shop on the south side of Spillville, which he operated until recently when his health declined. He enjoyed fishing and did a little woodworking in his spare time but his shop was his life. John is survived by his two daughters: Lynn (Donny) Bruess and Jennifer Durham, both of Calmar, IA. One son: Jason (friend, Melissa Foley) Calmar, IA. Grandchildren: Jake Bruess (girlfriend Christina Patrick), Liz Bruess, Mariah Durham, Holden Miller, Madison Foley, and Brodie Olson. One great granddaughter: Kaylie Bruess. One sister: Shelby Pinkowski, Spillville, IA, along with many nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents: John H. and Elizabeth (Hogge) Durham.