Katherine Mary Durako

Katherine Mary Durako, 91, of Springfield, died at 3:48 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2005 at her home. Katherine was born on October 7, 1914 in Divernon, IL, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Fiaush Hartman. She married Stephen J. Durako on October 16, 1946 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Divernon; he preceded her in death on March 9, 1971. Katherine was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. She retired from St. Francis Convent after twenty years as a switchboard operator and also served as a lunchroom assistant at St. Aloysius Catholic Grade School. She volunteered as a Samaritan at St. John’s Hospital for over twenty-five years. Katherine received the Josephine Knotts Humanitarian Award from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She enjoyed socializing with others and always placed everyone before her. She enjoyed watching the rosary being recited on television, enjoyed working cryptograms and puzzles and watching game shows, especially Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She was also preceded in death by two sisters: Sr. Gertrudine Hartman, OSF and Sr. Giles Hartman, OSF and five brothers: Carl, Joseph, Ernest, William and Robert Hartman. She is survived by two daughters: Mary Ann Durako and Kathleen (husband, William) Maxey both of Springfield; three sons: Stephen (wife, Frances) Durako, Jr. of Silver Spring, MD, Robert Durako of Springfield and James Durako of Valrico, FL; four grandchildren: Emily, Bobby and Elizabeth Maxey of Springfield and Sarah Greene of Seattle, WA; one sister: Theresa Fechner of Lodi, CA and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2005 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2119 N. 20th St. Springfield. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2006 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Meehling celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Foundation, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62702-9985 or St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2119 N. 20st St., Springfield, IL 62702. The family of Katherine M. Durako is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.