Jan P. Durkalec

Jan P. Durkalec, age 62, of Selma, died Thursday, October 27, 2011 at his home.

A memorial graveside will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the National Memorial Cemetery in Cave Creek, Arizona. Illinois Valley Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2074 Dick George Road, Cave Junction, Oregon 97523.

Jan was born July 22, 1949 in Norfolk, Virginia to Stanley & Frances Durkalec. As a boy he moved with his family to Clifton, New Jersey and Rockaway, New Jersey before moving to Phoenix, Arizona where he graduated from Maryvale High School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for ten years. Jan then began working with his brother building swimming pools in Arizona. In 2001 he moved from Phoenix to Cave Junction and first worked as a cook at the Junction Inn. He later worked as irrigation manager at Siskiyou Greenhouse. He also had various side jobs which he did until becoming ill.

Jan was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cave Junction ward.

His hobbies included fishing, playing the banjo, camping, and needlework.

Survivors include three sisters, Pat Crissey of Peoria, Arizona, Donna T. Durkalec of Phoenix, Arizona and Theresa F. Koch of Chino Valley, Arizona; a brother, George Durkalec of Selma, Oregon; many nieces and nephews and his dear friends and caregivers, Christen Cowan and Janet & Mark Cowan.