Durelle Pritchard Obituary (1937

Durelle F. Pritchard, 87, of Pontiac, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center, Pontiac, IL. Cremation rites have been accorded. A private service will be held at a later date. Memorials in Durelle's honor may be made to First Lutheran Church, 311 W. Grove St, Pontiac, IL. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Durelle was born on April 15, 1937, in Fairbury, IL to Frank and Lucy (Shepelman) Pritchard. He married Marilyn E. King on February 1, 1959. They just celebrated 65 years of marriage this year. She survives in Pontiac. He is also survived by two sons, Devon (Diane Geber) of Pontiac, IL and Mark (Paula) of Wylie, TX; one granddaughter, Katie A. (JP) Pirtle of Elkhart, IN; one great-grandson David Cole Pirtle; two very dear nieces, Elaine (Bruce) Roscoe of Prescott Valley, AZ and Carol (Nick Warholic) Nabor of Palm Springs, CA; and several great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister and brother-in-law, Wilma and Dallas Sutton. Durelle graduated from Pontiac Township High School. He worked as an auto-truck mechanic, owned and operated Pritchard Hobby & Cycle, he worked at various dealerships, and was employed most recently at ATR. He was a member of Rustic Auto Club, Central States Thresherman's Reunion, lifetime member of the Moose Lodge, Livingston County Historical Society, and the Rt. 66 Association of Illinois where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Durelle also rode and raced motorcycles, enjoyed his Whizzer motor bikes and antique cars all of his life. Durelle enjoyed his morning coffee meet-ups with friends, many trips to events with his antique cars and Whizzer motor bikes, and any chance to dine out or an occasional ice cream break. His claim to fame was being an extra in the movie filmed in Pontiac in 1983: Grandview USA. A celebration of life will be held to share stories, memories, and condolences at Pontiac Family Kitchen, 904 W. Custer Ave in Pontiac on October 12, 2024, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.