Dennis Grant Durnell, 70, of Trail Creek passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at his home with his loving wife Karen by his side.
Services to celebrate Dennis's life will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Michigan City. Viewing will be held on Friday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Root Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church.
A Masonic service will be held on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the Root Funeral Home.
A private cremation committal will take place with Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, La Porte, following the service on Saturday.
Dennis was born September 19, 1943 in Sturgis, Michigan to the late Grant T. and Beatrice A. Durnell.
On July 25, 1964 in Michigan City he married his loving wife Karen Yeater who survives in Trail Creek.
Also surviving are two daughters, Melissa (Jeffrey) Durnell Miller of Terre Haute, IN, Megan (Eric) Durnell Lieb of Arlington, Washington, one son, Grant (Cheryl) Durnell of Bridgeport, Illinois; ten grandchildren, John Henry Davis of Knox, Indiana, Colt Davis of Carmi, Illinois, Sheldon and Owen Brady of Arlington, Washington, Sofia, Elena and Evangeline Miller of Terre Haute, Indiana, Conner, Bailey and Sydney Lieb of Evansville, Indiana; two great-grandchildren, Sebastian and Addison Davis of Carmi, Illinois; one sister, Leslie Durnell Mayfield of Elkhart and two nieces and one nephew and many great nieces and nephews.
Dennis worked in the Michigan City and La Porte area as a funeral director for 49 years.
He graduated from the Sturgis High School Class of 1962 and from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1966.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Michigan City where he was active as a lay minister. He was also involved with Men's Prayer Breakfast, the Emmaus program and helped with many other church related committees and activities.
Dennis was a member and Past Master of Acme Masonic Lodge #83 in Michigan City for almost 30 years. He was also active in the York Rite bodies of the lodge. During the 1980's until 2000, Dennis was the "Chapter Dad" of Michigan City Chapter Order of DeMolay.
He was a member of the Michigan City Moose Family Center and Potawatomie Moose Legion #94. Dennis also served as President of the Michigan City Kiwanis Club.
Dennis was a La Porte County Deputy Coroner from 1988 until his retirement in 2013.
He loved his family and enjoyed sharing with them and teaching them to fish and camp. He also enjoyed their family tradition of Nerf gun fights. He truly enjoyed his camping, fishing and traveling with his soul mate Karen.
Dennis, through the years, enjoyed helping people through his dedication to the funeral profession and his church. His guidance helped many people and he will be missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Lung Association, American Red Cross of La Porte County, the First United Methodist Church Stain Glass Window Fund or the donor's choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted jointly to the Root Funeral Home of Michigan City and the Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center in La Porte, Indiana.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.