James "Mike" Durham

James "Mike" Durham, 73, of Lake Wildwood, passed away on October 24, 2023 at Richard L Owens Hospice Home with family and his wife, Maribeth, by his side.

Visitation will be Monday October 30, 2023, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wenona, IL with a Mass of Christian burial beginning at 11:00am officiated by the Franciscan Friars.  Interment will follow immediately at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The Hurst Funeral Home in Wenona is assisting the family with his arrangements.

He was born on May 19, 1950 to James V. and Marianna (Littlejohn) Durham in Streator, IL.

He attended St. Ann’s elementary school and graduated from Toluca High School in 1968.  He was awarded a basketball scholarship to Saint Ambrose College in Davenport, IA; where he earned a BS in accounting in 1972 and went on to become a CPA.  After working for a major accounting firm he founded his own company in 1990, Old Farm Management Inc.  In 1999 he retired from the company he founded after successfully rehabilitating several limited partnerships.

Mike married his best friend, Maribeth, on July 2, 1999 at her parents’ home in Wenona, IL.  They spent 24 happy years together, many of which were at their Florida winter home.

He served on several boards including:  Wampanoag Country Club where he was president for two years, Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts, Marshall County Board, Tall Oaks Country Club, and Lake Wildwood Association.

He was a volunteer for many years at the St. Vincent DePaul food pantries and the Second Act Resale Store for homeless families, both in Fort Myers. FL.

Mike was an avid year-round golfer and enjoyed playing gin rummy many days in Florida.  His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two younger brothers Pat and Mark Durham, and sisters-in-law April Lohr, Susan Lohr, and Marlene Lohr.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maribeth, his son Jason Durham of Manchester, CT, stepson D. Erik Dace of West Peoria, IL, sister Janet (Roger) Waye of Bradenton, FL, niece Victoria (Nash) Hunt, of Wahiawa, HI, brothers-in-law, Charles Lohr of Wenona, IL, Randy Lohr of Wenona IL, John C. Lohr of Gilbert AZ, Chris Lohr of Gilbert AZ, aunts, Sherry Kupec, Wenona, IL, Margaret Littlejohn, Rutland, IL and beautiful grandchildren Julianna, Brayden, Bella, and Avianna Durham.  Also, Joe (Kelly) Jackson, of Portage, IN to whom he was a father figure.

Mike lived life to its fullest.  He loved fiercely, worked hard, and played hard. His absence will leave a huge void; fortunately, we have beautiful memories to sustain us.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 

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