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StaffLife Story Funeral Director
jondurham@lifestorynet.com
Having been born into a family of funeral professionals, Jon Durham had never planned to be a funeral director himself. His father, Sheldon Durham, had been a licensed funeral director since 1955. The family lived above the Rupert-Durham funeral home in Vicksburg, where as a young man Jon would carry funeral flowers, set up chairs, and clean the chapel for forthcoming services.
By the time Jon graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1981, he knew he would continue with his education; the problem, however, was deciding on a course of study. Since he had been so close to the funeral profession as a child, Jon was anxious to explore another career. He decided to begin Pre-Med coursework at Kalamazoo College. With only a vague ambition in the medical field, Jon was heavily influenced to go in another direction following a significant death in his family.
When Jon's grandmother, Effie Rupert, passed away, the experience of her death gave Jon new insight into his father's responsibilities as a funeral director. For the first time, Jon became very emotionally invested in a funeral and could appreciate his father's critical role in making the event come together. This experience ended up putting Jon's life in a new direction. He transferred to the University of Minnesota in the spring of 1983, where he studied Mortuary Science. He graduated in 1985, returning to Vicksburg later the same year to begin working with his father.
As a funeral director, Jon has done his utmost to give every family the most fulfilling experience possible. His sincere and straight-forward manner has been able to put families at ease, allowing Jon to communicate with them effectively. Creating this intimate connection with families has given Jon the chance to better understand their emotional needs.
Today, Jon's work intently focuses on implementing what he has learned. In the past few years, Life Story Network® has become his new vehicle for bringing families a heightened level of service. He has passionately nurtured the company from its inception, and continues to guide it into the twenty-first century.
Building and maintaining Life Story Network® is a labor of love for Jon, who spends much of his free time researching and gathering information for the business. Luckily, surfing the Internet is another of his interests, as are waterskiing and walking. Jon is also active in the community, serving as a member of the Vicksburg Rotary Club and the Vicksburg Historic Village Committee, a trustee of the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation, and a volunteer at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
By the time Jon graduated from Vicksburg High School in 1981, he knew he would continue with his education; the problem, however, was deciding on a course of study. Since he had been so close to the funeral profession as a child, Jon was anxious to explore another career. He decided to begin Pre-Med coursework at Kalamazoo College. With only a vague ambition in the medical field, Jon was heavily influenced to go in another direction following a significant death in his family.
When Jon's grandmother, Effie Rupert, passed away, the experience of her death gave Jon new insight into his father's responsibilities as a funeral director. For the first time, Jon became very emotionally invested in a funeral and could appreciate his father's critical role in making the event come together. This experience ended up putting Jon's life in a new direction. He transferred to the University of Minnesota in the spring of 1983, where he studied Mortuary Science. He graduated in 1985, returning to Vicksburg later the same year to begin working with his father.
As a funeral director, Jon has done his utmost to give every family the most fulfilling experience possible. His sincere and straight-forward manner has been able to put families at ease, allowing Jon to communicate with them effectively. Creating this intimate connection with families has given Jon the chance to better understand their emotional needs.
Today, Jon's work intently focuses on implementing what he has learned. In the past few years, Life Story Network® has become his new vehicle for bringing families a heightened level of service. He has passionately nurtured the company from its inception, and continues to guide it into the twenty-first century.
Building and maintaining Life Story Network® is a labor of love for Jon, who spends much of his free time researching and gathering information for the business. Luckily, surfing the Internet is another of his interests, as are waterskiing and walking. Jon is also active in the community, serving as a member of the Vicksburg Rotary Club and the Vicksburg Historic Village Committee, a trustee of the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation, and a volunteer at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts.
