Lester Leo "Coogie" Durst

LESTER LEO "COOGIE" DURST, 83

CILCO

INDIAN LAKE ESTATES--Lester Leo “Coogie” Durst, 83, of Indian Lake Estates, and formerly of Homer and Lincoln, IL, died of heart failure Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at the Lake Wales Medical Center.

Born January 21, 1924 in Latham, IL; he was a lineman and trouble shooter for CILCO (35 ½ years) and a member of the IBEW Union. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales; and a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army 31st Calvary as a rifleman stationed in New Guinea. During his service, he earned two Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Campaign Service and a Victory Medal. He was a member of several Elks Clubs in Illinois and Florida; past Commodore of the Yacht Club of Indian Lake Estates, FL where he also served on the board of trustees; VFW of Lake Wales; Moose Lodge of Lake Wales; Eastern Illinois Masonic Lodge in Danville, IL as a Shriner with the 25 Man Super Cycle Unit; American Legion Post #290 in Homer, IL where he was Commander as well as past Commander of Champaign County American Legion; Pollywogs Fishing Club of Oakwood, IL; and president of Young Democrats of Logan County, IL.

Mr. Durst was preceded in death by his wife, Julia Bock Durst; parents, Jacob Ross and Mattie Mary Hamilton Durst; three brothers and one sister. Survivors include his daughter, Debra D. (& husband, Thomas) Mullins of Milford, DE; 1 grandchild; 2 step-grandchildren; 4 step-great-grandchildren; and friend, Dorothy Springer.

Local memorial services will be held at a later date. Burial will be held at New Union Cemetery in Lincoln, IL. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales.

Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales.