Norma Lou Durbin

Norma L. (Sue) Durbin, 88 of Huntington passed away at 4:15 pm on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Kingston at Dupont in Fort Wayne. Sue was born on September 22, 1930 in Huntington, the daughter of Henry and Nova Margaret (Venis) Falck. Sue grew up in Huntington and was a 1948 graduate of Huntington Catholic High School. Sue married Herman G. (Jack) Ness in 1951. Sue and Jack subsequently dissolved their marriage in the early 1970’s. She was employed at the Chicago Motor Club in Huntington and Marion while raising her 4 children. Over the years Sue worked as a Bookkeeper, a retail clerk, an administrator and took odd jobs to supplement the family income. At one time, she worked in the Huntington Township Assessor’s office and ran, unsuccessfully, for the Assessor’s position.

On Valentine’s Day, 1975, Sue married Robert C. (Bob) Durbin and moved with him to Marion, Indiana. Bob managed the Haag Drugstore in Marion until it closed at which time he and Sue moved to Wabash where they purchased a hardware store. Bob and Sue ran the store for many years before retiring in Wabash and eventually moving to Huntington. Sue was a caregiver to her mother for many years. She also provided significant care for several years to her husband, Bob, after a near fatal car crash.

Family was always first with her and her favorite times always included family members. Her fun-loving personality was evidenced in the holiday gatherings at the Durbin home which included everything from the Easter Egg butting contest and highly competitive badminton games to card and board games after the Christmas meal. Her famous chicken and noodles were savored by all and there were never quite enough of them. Mr. and Mrs. Durbin made frequent day trips throughout Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky during their marriage. Their most noteworthy trip was to Hawaii for 10 days. Sue was very independent and lived on her own until July of this year. She was a voracious reader and she loved clothes. She had a keen fashion sense as evidenced by the fact that her daughters frequently ‘borrowed’ her clothes. She enjoyed golf and swimming during her younger years. The music of Johnny Mathis, Bobby Vinton, Barbra Streisand and Andy Williams were her favorites. Survivors include two daughters: Victoria (James) Ness Thompson of Waterloo; Lorraine F. Ness of Fort Wayne; two sons: Kim (Brenda) E. Ness of Huntington; Paul (Belinda) M. Ness of Fishers; a stepdaughter: Pamela (Arnold) J. Durbin Oldach of Arizona; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Sue was preceded in death by her husband, her brother Bernard Falck, her stepbrother Eugene Bickel, and a stepdaughter Mary Michelle Durbin. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass at the Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, Indiana.

Interment will be at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Huntington County. Memorial donations can be made out to Heartland Hospice or to Kingston Memory Care both in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.