Don was born on February 10, 1933, to Leslie Alvin and Martha "Mattie" J (Stark) Durbin in Bates County, MO. He started school in a one-room schoolhouses at McNeal, Burdette, and Mound Valley before he attended Adrian R-III and graduated in 1951. He went into the Army in 1953 and served until 1955, where he did he a tour in Korea. He returned and started to work at Allied Signal Corporation, later Bendix, and worked there until his retirement in 1987. After retirement, Don worked as a custodian at Adrian R-III and worked many hours on the farm.
Don married Dorothy Mae Smith on May 3, 1964, in Adrian, MO, and to this union they had three sons: Mark, Michael, and Allen. Don was a charter member of the Adrian Optimist Club and was with them for 40 years; as well as, a life member of the VFW Post 1935 and served as commander multiple times. Don also attended and was a member of the Adrian United Methodist Church, the Western Missouri Antique Tractor Association for many years, and was on the board of the Adrian Rural Fire Department. He had several hobbies, including his beloved farm, woodworking, model airplanes, and listening to bluegrass music. Spending time with his family was his favorite pastime.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son, Michael Durbin; brothers: Robert "Bob" Durbin and Ronald "Ronnie" Durbin; sister, Valarie "June" Northrup; and granddaughter, Candance Dawn Durbin. He is survived by his sons: Mark (Lois) Durbin of Adrian, MO, and their children: Cassie Viers, Michael (Megan) Durbin, Alex Durbin, Breanna Durbin, Brent Isabel, Cheryl (Jason) Kellerman, Angie (Chris) White, and Brandon Isabel; and Allen (Jeannette) Durbin and their children: Chelcy (Nathan) Dunn, Andrew (Jessica) Durbin, Caleb (Kristen) Durbin, and Cameron (Aspin) Durbin; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Saathoff and Roma (Laverne) Welch; brother, Jerry (Becky) Seelinger; and many nephews and nieces and cousins.
