Lester L. "Toy" Durham Obituary (1924 - 2020)

Lester L. "Toy" Durham, 96, of Pontiac, passed away Thursday, November 26, 2020, 9:25 a.m. at Good Samaritan Home in Pontiac, IL. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Southside Cemetery in Pontiac, IL. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Toy was born April 27, 1924 in Centralia, IL to George D. and Freda (Church) Durham. He married Edith Melvin on April 24, 1950, in Pocahontas, AR. She passed away December 3, 2019. He is survived by his four children, Georgia Howard, Sylvia (John) McDowell, Steven (Jessica) Durham, and Cindy Robinson, all of Pontiac, IL; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Robert) McCormick, Mandy (Dave Steinlicht) Greene, Toy Howard, William Robinson, Christopher (Brooke Davis) Durham, and Corey Durham; five great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and two sisters, Shirley Schulz and Sharon Salinas, both of Pontiac, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edith; one brother, George "Bud" Durham; and two sisters Juanita Durham and Frances "Dutch" Olson. Toy was educated in Centralia Schools. He worked for Fashionbuilt Shoe in Pontiac and later worked at Interlake Steel for 23 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed working with wood, making many projects throughout the years. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.