Cover photo for Samuel S. Durham's Obituary
Samuel S. Durham Profile Photo
1932 Samuel 2021

Samuel S. Durham

December 2, 1932 — February 15, 2021

Samuel "Sam" S. Durham, 88, of East Leroy, Michigan passed away on February 15, 2021 at Glen Arbor Hospice in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Sam was born on December 2, 1932 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Charles and Margaret Bernice (Reick) Durham.

He enlisted in to the United States Air Force on January 4, 1950 and was honorably discharged on December 15, 1953, attaining the rank of Airman First Class. He received the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force he attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago for 2 years.

Sam retired from Ralston Purina Cereal Company in Battle Creek on May 1, 1993 as a sheet metal fabricator after 37 years of employment.

He was a member of Wakeshma Community Church for over 40 years. Sam loved music, especially singing at Wakeshma Community Church and at Family Altar, he was an excellent harmonica player. Sam was a handyman as he built the addition to their previous house and he designed their current home. He loved animals and will be sadly missed for his sense of humor. After retirement he and his wife joined RVICS- Roving Volunteers in Christ Service. They traveled around the United States helping with different projects and spreading the word of Christ for 8 years.
Sam accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior on August 23, 1971 at Odosagih Bible Conference in New York.

Sam is survived by his wife, Winifred Mae (Dodge) Durham; his children, Diana Green of Battle Creek, Michigan, Dale (Brenda) Traister of East Leroy, Michigan and Terry (Robin) Traister of Lacey, Michigan; his 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; his siblings, Alice (Richard) Richards of Mobile, Alabama, Robert (Olivia) Durham of Battle Creek, Michigan and Alan Durham of Charlotte, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Thomas E. Durham and his siblings, Charles Durham and Helen Robbins.

Visitation for Sam will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 2838 Capital Ave. SW Battle Creek, Michigan 49015.

A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Wakeshma Community Church in Fulton, Michigan with Rev. David Mackaluso officiating. There will be a visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at the church prior to the funeral service. Interment will take place at Battle Creek Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Memorials contributions are requested to the Charity of one's choice or Wakeshma Community Church

Please visit https://kempfuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Samuel S. Durham, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, February 20, 2021

10:00 - 11:00 am (Eastern time)

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Service

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Wakeshma Community Church (Fulton, Michigan)

16732 East UV Avenue, Fulton, MI 49052

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