Obituary of Gale L. Durant

Munnsville-Gale L. "Odie" Durant Sr., age 75 of West Road passed away early Monday morning April 30, 2018 in the Syracuse VA Medical Center. He was born on April 27, 1943 in Oneida, New York a son of the late Leslie and Mabel (Ham) Durant and was a graduate of Stockbridge Valley Central School. In 1961 Odie enlisted with the United States Marines and was honorably discharged in 1965. On October 31, 1964 Odie was united in marriage to Eva Lohr. Prior to his retirement in 2003 Odie was a tree pruner with Lewis Tree Service of Rochester. He was an avid hunter, four wheeler, NASCAR fan and member of a Marine Shooting League and former member of IBEW Local 1249 of Syracuse. His greatest enjoyments in life came from the times he spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are his four children and their spouses, Rita (Larry) Bombard of Oneida, Gale Jr. (Lorie) Durant of Norwich, Brenda Durant of Oneida and Patricia (Paul) Kivler of Verona, 14 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, six brothers, Gary, Lynn, Roger, Robert, Brian and Daryl Durant, four sisters, Marlene Sigler, Patricia Prudy, Deborah Gallo and Karen Durant, and many nieces and nephews. Odie was predeceased by his wife Eva, two children Joseph Durant and Lisa Hoffman, and four brothers, William, Richard, Fred and Wayne Durant. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday, May 4, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral; Home Inc., 23 Front Street, Vernon, NY. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Malecki Funeral Home of Vernon with cousin Rev. Tom Durant officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Helena's Cemetery, Middle Road Oneida. Online condolences may be sent to Maleckifuneralhome.com