Richard "Dick" Allen Durley

Richard “Dick” Durley, 85, of Belvidere IL, passed away on August 14th, 2025, after a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. Dick was born on April 18th, 1940, in Belvidere, IL to Henry and Geneva (Williams) Durley. He spent most of his life in the Belvidere area graduating from North Boone High School where he played football and was on the track team.  He then continued his education at Rock Valley College. Throughout his working career, Dick worked to build fastener businesses in Rockford through various sales and management positions. 

After schooling, Dick was drafted into the U.S. Army. He completed basic training and was stationed in South Korea near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South Korea and North Korea.  After returning stateside, he spent two years in the Army reserves. As a veteran, he was proud of his service to our country.

On May 22nd, 1965, Dick married Karen Reed at Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, IL. Together they raised two kind children, traveled throughout the U.S. and England, and loved spending time with their loved ones, especially their six grandchildren, and various pets. They loved watching sports together and cheering on their teams especially the Cubs, Bears, Belvidere Bucs Football, and Ohio State Football. 

Besides enjoying time with family, Dick filled his life with many associations and hobbies. Earlier in his life, he and his brother coached Belvidere Junior Tackle football together for many years and helped develop and build the league in its early days. Dick always had a penchant for fast cars and enjoyed street racing in his youth and attending drag racing events. He also loved to drive his 1955 Chevy which he restored and kept in pristine condition. He was an avid golfer and could be found on Rockford area courses as often as he could and traveled with a golfing group to Myrtle Beach for many years. No matter what course he was playing, he always came home with more golf balls than he left with. His amused golfing partners indulged his pausing the game to collect a lost golf ball anywhere including ponds and dense forests. He had an artistic side that he showed by making beautiful stained-glass lamps for family and friends. He enjoyed being involved with the Belvidere community and was a member of the local YMCA board and volunteered at various Zion Lutheran Church functions.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Durley; his children Stacey (Patrick Hess) Durley and Chris Durley; grandchildren Emma Hess, Henry Hess, Paige Durley, Tommy Durley, Owen Hess and Cate Durley as well as his nieces Michelle (Don) Larson and Kristin (Tony) Reed, and nephews Patrick (Jill) Durley and Matt (Erin) Reed.  Dick was blessed with wonderful friends that he treasured from all eras of his life.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Geneva Durley, his sister, Jeri Lyn Durley, brother, Phillip Durley, brother-in-law Tom Reed, and niece Laura Brown.

A memorial service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, IL on Saturday, August 30th, 2025. The visitation begins at 10 am with a service at 11am. Attendees are invited to the luncheon which will be held immediately following the service at the church. A private inurnment will take place at a later date at Belvidere Cemetery.

Memorials can be made in Dick’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or Zion Lutheran Church in Belvidere, IL.