Loren E. Durnal

Loren Durnal, age 91, of North Vernon and formerly of Unionville was called home on Saturday April 24, 2021. Loren lived a full life with many roles; son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather but most importantly he was a follower of the Lord, a preacher, and a teacher of the gospel. Loren was born in Monroe County on August 15, 1929 to Joe and Mabel (Spriggs) Durnal. He grew up in Bloomington and graduated from University High School in 1946 and attended Indiana University. Loren married Audrey (West) Durnal on July 8, 1949 in Monroe County and they were blessed with three children. After spending a short time living in Indianapolis, Loren and Audrey returned to Monroe County and raised their family in Unionville. Loren was one of the first employees hired by Westinghouse Electric Corporation as they opened a new manufacturing plant in Bloomington. As the kids grew up Loren also coached little league baseball and was a 4H leader. Warm summer weekends were reserved for making home-made ice cream with the family. Loren also enjoyed the role of senior family historian and “storyteller” of the family history in Monroe and Brown counties. Loren retired from Westinghouse in August 1989 after 31 years of service and in retirement he enjoyed working with antique tractors and attending tractor shows and county fairs along with family and friends. Loren later served many years on the board of directors for B&B Water Corporation. Loren and Audrey also enjoyed traveling, helping out at the Kent farm, and watching just about any type of ball game. They always enjoyed watching games that involved one of their grandchildren. They particularly enjoyed watching basketball and baseball games specifically IU, Pacers, or Cubs games. They would occasionally watch a Purdue game as long as it didn’t interfere with watching an IU game. Survivors include children Diana (Tom) Kent of North Vernon and Roy (Charlene) Durnal of Greenwood. Son-in-law Russell Hopwood of North Vernon. Grandchildren Randy (Kelly) Kent and child Jordan (Amberly) Kent. Jim (Jenny) Kent and children Alyssa, Jonathan, Andrew, and Jason all of North Vernon. Matt (Jessica) Durnal and children Trevor and Reagan of Unionville. Travis Durnal of Greenwood. Tim (Leedjia) Hopwood of Falls Church, Va. and Lisa Hopwood of Zionsville. Sister-in-law Doris Wells and brother-in-law Thomas “Russell” Hamm both of Unionville. And many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Loren was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Audrey, his daughter Lorna (Hopwood) and his sister Mina (Hamm). Loren was a member of Bridge Church of Christ and a lay minister serving until recently at Belmont Church of Christ in Brown County. Loren will be greatly missed by his many friends in Monroe, Brown, and Jennings counties. Loren’s family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Trace assisted living in North Vernon, Columbus Regional Hospital ER staff, the staff at Our Hospice Care of South Central Indiana, and Marcus Speer senior minister at Jennings Church of Christ for their help and kindness to Loren and his family. Services will be at 1:00pm Friday April 30, 2021 at the Bridge Church of Christ at 6996 N. Tunnel Road in Unionville. Burial will follow in the Bridge Church of Christ cemetery. Visitation will precede the service on Friday from 11:00am to the time of the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the charity of one’s choice.