Obituary - Charles Clifford Durward

Charles Clifford Durward, 87, of Havre, passed away April 20, 2016 at Northern Montana Hospital.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services well be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor Dolly Collins officiating. The family has requested that memorials be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, Van Orsdel Methodist Church ,or the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Charlie's online memorial page at http://www.hollandbonine.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.

Charlie was born on Nov. 11, 1928, in Bowbells, North Dakota, to Clifford and Marie (Spurs) Durward. He was raised in Bowbells, attending schools and graduating from high school there. Charles entered the U.S. Army in June 1947 and was discharged in July 1948. July 2, 1950, Charlie married the love of his life, Gaynelle "Petie" Voss of Bowbells, N.D. Soon after they relocated to Havre, where they created a life together and raised their three children. Charlie was called back to service during the Korean War on Nov. 9, 1950, and returned home Nov. 13, 1951. Charlie purchased and operated the Havre Paint Shop in 1961 with Petie handling the bookkeeping.

Charlie was very active in the community, president of the North Havre Community Club, working with the Planning and Zoning Board, involved with the Boy Scouts of America, a member of Van Orsdel United Methodist Church and a member of the Eagles. He was always ready to help a neighbor or friend in need.

After the children were raised, Charlie and Petie enjoyed traveling the world. They began by touring the United States and later enjoyed the sights of Europe, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Mexico, Japan and Africa. His life with Petie was his greatest adventure on this earth! Besides traveling, Charlie enjoyed hunting and making "Choke Cherry" wine.

Charlie was preceeded in death by his wife, Gaynelle "Petie"; his parents, Clifford and Marie Durward; his daughter, Gaynelle Mee; and sister-in-law, Delores Durward.

He is survived by his son, Greg (Marcia) Durward of Havre; his daughter, Laurie Jo (Mike) Connelly of Kuna, Idaho; his grandchildren, Scott (Jen) Durward and Louis and Liana, Chris (April) Durward and Ethan, Lindsay (Joshua) George and Brooklyn & Alijah, Lyle (Melissa) Mee and Dawson and Avery, Molly (Michael) Mee, Kate (Casey) Mee, Nicole Mariani and Triston and Alex, Kelly Mariani and Sophia and Aubree; his brother, Harley Durward of Bismark, N.D .; his sister, Sharon (Charles) Murphy of Racine, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Bea (Rubin) Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews.