MATHEWS, Va. – The Rev. John Durkovich, pastor of Irving-ton United Meth-odist Church and Asbury United Methodist Church, passed Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, from a short illness. The Rev. Durkovich was born in 1925, in Johnstown, Pa., to Slovak immigrant parents. He was a minister for 52 years. He served churches in Petersburg, Va., Staunton, Va., Peninsula, Va., and Rappahannock, Va., districts. He served on the board of ordained ministry for Virginia United Methodist Conference. He also served as chaplain in Veterans Administration Medical Center, Hampton, Va., and was chief of chaplains at Northport, N.Y., Veterans Hospital. He served in the U.S Navy during World War II stationed in Norfolk, Va., patrolling the North Atlantic Ocean for German submarines. The Rev. Durkovich graduated from Ferrum College, Randolph- Macon College and Duke University Divinity School with a master’s degree in June 1963. During his 52 years of ministry, he passionately served the community, he was a co-founder of Hands Across Mathews; a member of Mat-hews County Rescue Squad; member of Mathews Ruritans, Department Chaplain, American Legion Post No. 83; board member of Mathews Boys and Girls Clubs; and board of directors for Emmaus Community. The Rev. Durkovich was a master mason for 40 years, a past master of Jeptha Lodge No. 494, Huntington, N.Y. He served as grand chaplain of New York state and grand chaplain of Masonic War Veterans of New York state. He was a member and past worthy patron of Oriental Chapter No. 30, Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of Oriental Lodge No. 20 F & AM, Mat-hews, Va. He was a member of Royal Arch Chapter No. 59, Urbanna, Va. He was also a member of Penn-Neck Commandry No. 33, Urbanna, Va., where he served as past commander. He served as grand prelate and associate grand prelate for Grand Commandry of Virginia. John loved the bay and was an avid fisherman. The Rev. Durkovich is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Lawrence Durkovich; his son, John Andrew Durkovich and his wife, Joanne and their daughter, Tracey Erin; two daughters, Mary Anna Canter, her husband, Glenn and their two daughters, Taylor Nicole and Emily Paige, and Rebecca Lynn Zeller and her husband, John and their two daughters, Jessie Alanna and Megan Lynn. He also wished to be remembered by his two nieces, Mabel Lawrence Nicosia and her husband, David, and Rebecca Durkovich Tomlinson and her husband, Gene; many great-nieces and great-nephews. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Salem United Methodist Church, Salem, Va., where a Masonic service will be held 7 p.m. The celebration of life will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Salem United Methodist Church, 1099 Salem Church Road, Diggs, Va. The family requests in place of flowers, donations be made to Virginia Methodist Conference Initiative of Hope Missions, P.O. Box 1719, Glen Allen, VA 23060, or Knights Templar Eye Foundation, care of John Wiggles-worth, 1830 Leonard Road, Falls Church, VA 22043, or Salem Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 474, Mathews, VA 23109, or Irvington Methodist Church Building Fund, Irvington, VA 22480.
JOHN DURKOVICH
