Errol Durkin

Errol Raymond Durkin, age 64 years of Niles, Michigan, father, grandfather, brother, grillmaster, honorable veteran, and stay-at-home-dad died peacefully at 7:46 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born on October 20, 1957 in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois to Earl and Doris (Hutton) Durkin and was graduated from the Lemont (Illinois) High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army, served in the 77th Military Police in Germany, and was honorably discharged as a veteran of peacetime service.  His true life’s vocation was raising his children as a stay-at-home dad.  Erroll came to Michigan in 2000, and was employed for several years as a marine mechanic at Dave’s Marine Center in Three Rivers.

Errol was a member of a Conservation Club near Three Rivers where he enjoyed shooting sports, and was competitive in both modern firearms and the old six-shooter.  He also hunted for deer in the Three Rivers area, and enjoyed camping at Silver Lake.  His greatest joy was grilling steaks in the backyard and caring for his family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Durkin; by his mother and step-father, Doris and Francis Murray; and by a brother, Leo Durkin.

Surviving family includes his children, Jason (& Hana) Durkin of Oak Forest, Illinois, Holly (& Travis) Dokey of Three Rivers, and Timothy (& Joeline) Majewski; grandchildren Kylie, Ayden, Cayden, Emerie, James, Timmy, Jacob, Grace, and Sarah; and Errol’s siblings, Ida (& Herb) Eskamp of Kankakee, Illinois, Earl (& Dawn) Durkin of Naperville, Illinois, Ken (& Cecilia) Durkin of Avon, Indiana, Dorothy Murray of Manteno, Illinois, Michaeline (& Concho) Mercado of Joliet, Illinois, and Hugh Murray of Bradley, Illinois; and many, many nieces and nephews.

The family of Errol Durkin will gather privately at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street in Niles, Michigan.  The Committal will be at Noon (Central Time) on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, 20953 West Hoff Road, Elwood, Illinois with Full Military Honors offered by the United States Army Honor Guard assisted by the Abraham Lincoln Volunteer Memorial Squad.  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Errol clearly enjoyed life, especially when serving others, as a successful son, through military service, cooking for others, and – most importantly – loving his family, especially his children and grandchildren.