PAUL RAYMOND DURST

Paul Raymond Durst, 95, of rural LaGrange, MO, died April 20, 2018 at Good Samaritan Home in Quincy, Ill.

Paul was born December, 1922, in Quincy, a son of Louis Hugo and Edith Thompson Durst. He married his loving wife of 71 years, Irene Snodgrass, on January 12, 1947, at Central Baptist Church in Quincy. She survives.

He graduated from Quincy High School in 1940. Paul was working in Chicago when he joined the United States Army in 1943. He served in World War II with Co B 555th Engineer Battalion from March 1943 to March 1946 both domestically and abroad building bridges.

After the war he returned home and shortly after began farming with his wife. He operated a hog and crop operation in La Grange with his son and son-in-laws, and was still driving his John Deere Tractor at the age of 92. Paul was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed building items for his children and grandchildren. If he wasn’t on the farm, you could find him in his shop, at the Tower eating pizza, or at Casey’s having a cup of coffee.

Paul was a member of South Union Baptist Church in Maywood, MO, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years. Paul was recognized by the University of Missouri for good farming practices. He was honored with a Merit Award (Farm Family) in 1973. Paul served as the manager of Lew-Mar Co-op and served on the Farm Credit Services Board from 1978-1987. He was on the first Great River Honor Flight out of Quincy in April 2010.

Including his wife, Paul is survived by his children: Linda Durst Denemark of Quincy, IL; Ruth (Derl) Bowman; Susan (John) Knoche; and Mike (Tina) Durst, all of La Grange. Paul was blessed with eight grandchildren and saw them all marry the loves of their lives: Daryn (Amy) Bowman of Taylor, MO; Denise (Scott) Moore of Quincy, IL; Sheila (Halsey) Fischer of Nashville, TN; Megan (Adam) Wardlow of Palmyra, MO; Samantha (Tim) Cramsey of La Grange, MO; Evan (Aron) Knoche of La Grange, MO; Ethan (Lezlie) Durst of Canton, MO; and Ashlan (Tucker) Martin of Kansas City, MO. He especially enjoyed his great grandchildren: Kenady, Kaitlyn, Alayna & Drake Moore; Emily Rae Bowman; Penn & Neve Wardlow; and Elliott & Natalie Cramsey; as well as the anticipation of the two new arrivals (May and October). He was also survived by one brother, Bill (Margie) Durst of Durham, Mo; a sister, Mary Speckhart of Payson, IL; and his in-laws, Wayne and Mary Snodgrass; and Pat Snodgrass, all of Palmyra, Mo.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Sam, Ed, and Dale Durst) and two sisters (Dorothy Blenglinger and Edith Schutlz).

Funeral services were held April 24, 2018 at the South Union Baptist Church in Maywood, Mo., with Rev. Dale Norfolk and Rev. Nick Davis officiating. Visitation was held April 23, 2018 at South Union Baptist Church in Maywood, Mo. Pallbearers: Daryn Bowman, Evan Knoche, Ethan Durst, Scott Moore, Halsey Fischer, Adam Wardlow, Tim Cramsey, and Tucker Martin. Music provided by: Loretta Bringer, Rachel Shepherd, John Carter and Nelson Carter.
Burial with military honors will be in Maywood Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Great River Honor Flight, South Union Baptist Church, or the Maywood Cemetery Association.

Online condolences may be made at www.davis-fh.com