FRANKLIN — John L. Durham, 78, a native of Mabe, Va., and a resident of Franklin for the past 53 years, passed away Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at 2:36 p.m. at Iberia Medical Center.

Mr. John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dolores Chauvin Simoneaux Durham of Franklin; his daughter Jennifer D. Hebert and her husband, Gilbert, of Franklin; three brothers J.B. Durham and his wife, Wilman, of Kingsport, Tenn., Ervin Taylor and his wife, Vivian, of Weber City, Va. and Jack Taylor and his wife, Dorothy, of Clinch Port, Va.; two sisters Esta Bishop and her husband, Frank, of Sulphur and Reba Williams of Gate City, Va.; two grandchildren Elmer Ray Durham and Claire Hebert, both of Franklin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. John was preceded in death by his son Tony Michael “Tut” Durham; his father, Issac H. Durham; his mother, Charollett Miller Durham Taylor; his stepfather, Miles Ervin Taylor; six brothers Ray Durham, Herbert Taylor, Kenneth Taylor, Joe Taylor, Claude Durham and James Edgar Taylor; and four sisters Nancy Myrtle McDavid, Helen Durham, Dorothy Mattison and Lula Mitchell.

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The family requests that visiting hours be observed Monday, Oct. 19, at Ibert’s Mortuary from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with the Mason’s service at 7:30 p.m.  Visiting will resume Tuesday at 8 a.m. at Little Pass Baptist Church in Charenton.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. at Little Pass Baptist Church in Charenton.  Burial will follow in the Perpetual Park Cemetery in Franklin. Rev. Adam Estes and Rev. Bobby Hodnett will officiate the services.

Pallbearers will be Elmer Ray Durham, Larry P. Chauvin, Kiley J. Chauvin, Mark A. Chauvin, Warren Guidry and Troy P. Duhon. Honorary pallbearers will be Gilbert Hebert, Ronnie Bishop, Timothy P. Duhon, Lynn Chauvin, Donnie Chauvin and Todd Chauvin.

Mr. Durham was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean War.  In his early working days, he was employed by Wheless Drilling Co. of Shreveport for 16 years. Later he went on to own and operate Chauvin & Durham Feed & Grocery for 12 years.  Following the feed and grocery business, he went on to work for Cameron Iron Works for three years and finally Himel Motor Supply for 18 years. He was a member the St. Mary Farm Bureau, the St. Mary Fair Association, the American Legion Post 62 and was a Past Master of the Franklin Lodge No. 57 F. & A.M.

To view the online obituary and leave condolences for the family, please visit www.iberts.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary Inc., 1007 Main St., Franklin, 828-5426.