Obituary Washington - Ralph E. Durham, 89, of Washington, passed away and entered heaven where he was received by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Wednesday evening, December 24, 2014 at Unity Point Methodist Hospital in Peoria. Gene was born November 9, 1925 in Pontiac, to Ira Wilbur and Mary Gertrude Schertz Durham. He married Maxine Zimmer on September 3, 1950 in Bloomington. She survives. Also surviving are four children, Debbie (Dan) Schrock of Washington, Patty Schrock of Washington, Dennis (Rachel) Durham of Santa Rosa, CA, Don (Karen) Durham of Normal; ten grandchildren, Rhonda, Becky, Tim, Lisa, Michael, Samantha, Ashley, Mary, Alex, Tyler; nine great-grandchildren; half brother, John Lane; and half sister, Mary Lou Gondalez both of Cheyenne, WY. He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, Katie and Bobby. Gene was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving in WWII. He started working at Retail Credit/Equifax in Peoria. Gene later worked at Travis/Neil Norton Cadillac in Peoria as Finance Manager and General Manager retiring after 20 years of service in 1989. Following that he worked for 20 years for the Morton Auto Auction. Gene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria where he served on the Finance Department, sang in the choir, and was former President of the Couples Club. He served on and was former President of the District 50 Board of Education in Sunnyland. He also was a member of the Toastmasters Club. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton. A Memorial Service will follow at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Peoria with Pastors Mark Nelson and Matt Synott officiating. There will be no visitation; family will receive friends following the Memorial Service. Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. Memorial Service DEC 30. 11:30 AM Trinity Lutheran Church 135 NE Randolph Ave Peoria, IL, US