Ross L. Durbala

Ross L. Durbala, 63, of Peoria passed away at his home peacefully with family by his side at 9:45pm Tuesday February 28, 2012. He was born on July 1, 1948 in Des Moines, IA the son of J. Chief and Irene Banks Durbala. He married Mary S. Delicath on February 14, 1994 in Peoria. She survives along with two sons Jonathon and Alex both at home and daughter Lisa Frazee in Pennsylvania. Also surviving are granddaughters Cassandra, Crystal and Courtney as well as three great grandchildren. Further surviving is his mother of Peoria; three brothers, Ronald (Gloria) Durbala of New Athens, Donald (Linda) Durbala of Donaldsonville, GA, and Joseph (Maria) Durbala of Apache Junction, AZ; his sisters, Mary Durbala and Francis Williams, both of Peoria, and numerous nieces and nephews. His father, three sisters Margie Downard, Alice Hoerdemann, and Lovilia Burton preceded him in death. In 1966, after high school Ross joined the US Air Force and served in Vietnam as advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force. He also served in Southeast Asia and the Pacific before being honorably discharged in 1975. Ross obtained his Bachelor's of Social Work and later obtained his Masters of Social Work. He opened and ran a runaway shelter in Sacramento, CA, providing suicide prevention and adolescent counseling services. Periodically Ross returned to Peoria to visit family. He founded and established as well as worked at the Vietnam Vet Center in Moline, IL and also at the Peoria Vet Center providing counseling to Vietnam Veterans and their families. In 1993, Ross returned to Peoria and began his career with Lutheran Social Services of Illinois as a therapist where he met his future wife Mary. After the birth of their eldest child, Ross and Mary moved back to Sacramento for two years before deciding that Peoria was their home. Upon returning to Peoria in 1997, Ross rejoined Lutheran Social Services as the Supervisor of Licensing and Resources, a position he held until his death. He was affectionately know by his colleagues as "Ross the Boss" and "Boots". Cremation Rites have been accorded and a Memorial Mass is scheduled for 11am Saturday March 3, 2012 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Peoria with Fr. John Grigus as Celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to his service also at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are encouraged be given to an educational trust fund established at any CEFCU for his sons.