Robert “Bob” Leroy Durbin, 77, of Taylorville, Illinois, passed away peacefully with his son at his side at 3:32 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the home of his son, Shawn, in Shiloh, Illinois.
Born on August 21, 1948, in Taylorville, IL the son of Everett Jerome and Nancy Alice (Childers) Durbin, Bob grew up with a resilient spirit, entering the full-time workforce at a very young age to support himself. In his youth, he was exceptionally athletic, incredibly tough, and quite fearless. He was known for his spontaneous energy, occasionally shocking people by launching into a backflip right in the middle of a conversation.
His bravery was tested when he was drafted into the U.S. Army and deployed to the Vietnam War. Bob was deeply proud of his military service. During his deployment, he served as a cook, weather courier, and perimeter guard. He survived intense combat, including totaling a jeep on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and successfully defending his post during a fierce nighttime firefight, where he helped neutralize five or six enemy fighters attempting to breach the barbed-wire perimeter. Though he carried heavy memories, including guarding the fallen enemies until morning, he shared vivid, unforgettable stories of "incoming" artillery and NVA encounters.
Upon returning home, Bob built a life centered around hard work, hard fun and good food. He built a career as a dedicated Union Laborer with Local 159. He spent decades doing strenuous manual labor, working primarily outdoors in all weather conditions. When he wasn’t working, he loved a good local spot and was a familiar face over the years at the VFW, American Legion, Eagles, Farm Tavern and the Skyscraper. Most recently, he found a second home at the Thunderbird Lounge, where he considered the bartenders and regular patrons his true extended family.
He was a legendary host, particularly at the family lake lot and during household sleepovers, where he (and his brother David Ray) operated under the philosophy of “cooking for an army.” No one ever left hungry. He was famous for his massive quantities of pork steaks, poor boys, and ribs, as well as his unmatched homemade sausage gravy over biscuits. All of his son’s friends knew exactly where to go for a great meal and a welcoming environment. He always enjoyed having a garden, which typically had tomato plants towering over 6 feet tall with massive fruits. There were a couple years he even tilled up his entire front yard to make his garden bigger.
Bob married his first wife, Edna (McGuire) on September 15, 1973, with whom he shared his only son, Shawn. Following her passing, he later found love again and married Darlene (Hutchins) on September 28, 1991.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Edna; his second wife, Darlene; his brother, Jerome “Jerry” Durbin; and his sister, Rita Kay Durbin.
He is survived and deeply missed by his devoted son, Shawn (Natalie); his grandchildren Bella and Brodey; his brothers, Larry and David Ray; and his sister, Betty Anne; his stepchildren by Edna: Annette, Phyllis, and Lisa; and his stepchildren by Darlene: Claude (Leslie) and Tammy.
Bob will be cremated, and a graveside memorial service will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville with Chaplain Ricky Reed officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Taylorville Food Pantry. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Bob, or condolences to his family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
