Rita Durham

Rita M. (Dehon) Durham, formerly of Vincennes, IN. passed on September 3, 2011 at Bridgepointe Health Campus. Born May 18, 1934, she was the fourth child born to Louis J. De Hon Sr. and Lorene (McHale) De Hon. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Jack R. Durham also brother Louis J. De Hon Jr., James F. De Hon, nephews Christian De Hon, Robert and Carry Durham and Doug Cullison Brothers in-law Joseph Williams, Jake Durham, Paul Fortner and step daughter Janet Fortner-Gaines. On March 7, 2000 Rita married Kenneth R. Fortner, who survives along with step-children Kenneth L. Fortner, Lake Lawrence, IL and Theresa Fortner-Ward of Tucson, AZ. Three step grandchildren, several step-nieces and nephews. Other survivors include a brother Maurice B. De Hon and La Vaughn, Vincennes, sister Anna L. Williams, Vincennes, sister-in-law Julia De Hon, nephews Greg De Hon and Dani and children, Marcus De Hon all of Bloomington, IN., Jolie De Hon-Mullin and Bob and children of Nashville, IN., Brother-in-law Robert Durham, Marilyn & Family, Vincennes, IN, Joyce Durham-Garache and Leroy and Children of Moscow TN, Niece Rockie Durham and Children, nephew Blaine Durham and family of Vincennes, IN, Jason and Nathan Durham and family of California and sister in law, Mary Ann Fortner and Family. Rita attended kindergarten at La Salle School in Vincennes and St. John the Baptist Catholic grade school also in Vincennes and graduated from the Benedictine Academy for Girls at Ferdinand, in 1952. During her career with Indiana Bell she held the following positions, Operator, Floor Supervisor, Repair Clerk, Plant Clerk In Vincennes and Long Distance Operator at Camp Atterbury, US Army Depot.In 1972 she was promoted into a management position supervising the installation and repair dispatching of worker in the Vincennes, Washington and Linton areas. She was one of the first women to hold this position. In 1979 she was transferred to the Evansville Indiana Bell location as Facility Assignment Supervisor where she retired from the Bell System in 1982. In addition to her Bell career she served as owner and secretary of D&H Glass Services of Vincennes for 22 years. Rita was affiliated through her lifetime with the following associations:Telephone Pioneers of AmericaJr. Achievement, EvansvilleY.M.C.A. AuxiliaryTri Kappa SororityBenedictine Academy AlumnaeGSH Foundation BoardGSH AuxiliaryWednesdays Ladies Card clubSt. John's Catholic Alter SocietyBuick Club of AmericaAntique auto clubs Lawrence Co & Punta Gorda, FLR.Hands Across AmericaTelephone Pioneer Chairwoman for the restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Vincennes areaLawrence Co. Garden clubLawrence Co. PEO SocietyOld Punta Gorda INC, FLSt. Jude Hospital Fund Vincennes Area Rita enjoyed traveling, the outdoors gardening, needlework, music, dancing and fishing. At her various residences, she has planted 300 trees. Friends may visit with the family at Goodwin Funeral Home on Thursday, September 8, 2011, from 8:00 AM until 11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John's Catholic Church at 11:30 AM. With Rev. Ryan Hilderbrand celebrating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict, Ferdinand, IN, St John's Catholic Church, Building Fund or GSH Cancer division.