Fern M. Duris

Fern M. Duris, 85, of New Philadelphia, died Monday evening, December 1, 2003 at Union Hospital after a weeklong illness.Born in Wickliffe, OH on February 26, 1918, she was the only daughter of the late Clarence E. and Doris Cole. Fern graduated from Bedford High School in 1936. On August 6, 1938, she married Milan Duris. The couple shared forty-one years together before his death on May 1, 1980. Fern was a member of the Nottingham Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, in Cleveland and attended the First Christian Church in New Philadelphia.Fern loved tending to her flower garden and was skilled at sewing clothes for her only grandchild, Sarah. She also enjoyed oil painting.She is survived by her only child, daughter Sally S. (Frank) Benkowski as well as her granddaughter Sarah (Scott) Ghezzi, all of New Philadelphia; three brothers-in-law, Frank (Debbie) Duris of Northfield, William (Arlene) Duris and John (Betty) Duris, all of Bedford. In addition to her parents and husband, her three brothers, Robert, Clarence and David Cole, preceded Fern in death.She will be buried alongside her husband Milan in at a graveside funeral service on Thursday, December 4, 2003 at 1:00 PM at East Avenue Cemetery. Rev. Chris D. Lape of the First Christian Church will officiate. There will be no calling hours.Contributions remembering Fern may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.