It is with great sadness and love that we raise a parting glass to Benjamin Robert Durian Jr. (98) who passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on September 26, 2026.

Ben was born in Toledo, Ohio on March 16, 1928. As a child of the Great Depression he grew up knowing the value of hard work while appreciating the simpler things in life like family, friends and pets. During his childhood he had two paper routes which started his life long love of cycling.

After graduating from DeVilbiss High School in 1946 he worked at Sears, Roebuck and Co. off and on from 1946 to 1950 while studying at the University of Toledo. He obtained his his bachelor’s degree and joined the Army in 1952 serving his country during the Korean War in counterintelligence while stationed in both Korea and Japan.

Upon returning home in 1954 he was accepted at the University of Michigan in their Masters of Science program and continued to Michigan State for his PhD in Physiology. While he was in the PhD program at MSU he was offered a position to teach at Ferris State College (now Ferris State University). This position eventually lead him into a professorship in the School of Pharmacy lecturing to future pharmacists, optometrists and nurses.

His engaging teaching style, sense of humor and wit made him a natural favorite among his many students and he took great pride in their successes both personal and professional. He was awarded Instructor of the Year by his students two times in his 35 year career. Once for the school year from 1974-1975 and again in 1988-1989.

While a professor at Ferris Ben met the love of his life, Joanne Stevenson, through his good friend and Ferris student, Bob Richardson then married to Joanne’s sister Betty. They met in person on a blind date in Big Rapids in 1962 and the rest is history. They were married in Joanne’s hometown of Flint, MI in 1963. They settled in Big Rapids, MI and had three children, Marie, Ben and James.

Ben loved his family and instilled in his children a passion for literature, science, philosophy, history, music and movies with special appreciation of the finer things in life like Monty Python, Bennie Hill, and detective mysteries. He also had an interest in strategy board games and enjoyed creating Dungeon and Dragons quests for his children.

After retirement Ben and Joanne traveled across the United States visiting points of interest and entertainment and greatly enjoyed time spent with their children and grandchildren.

Ben is preceded in death by his mother: Irene Durian, father: Benjamin R. Durian Sr, stepmother: Mildred Durian, and sister: Mary Pazdzior.

He is survived by his wife: Joanne (Stevenson) Durian, daughter : Marie (Durian) and Timothy R. Smith, son: Ben R. and Stacy (Dukes) Durian, grandchildren: Benjamin, Alexandria, Emily and Liberty, son: James T. and Heather (Story) Durian, grandchildren: Holly, Erik and Rainier and sister: Judy(Durian) and Karl Oberle.

A visitation will be held on October 20, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church with a Mass at 11:00 A.M. Following Mass will be a burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery with a luncheon held at St. Mary's Parish Hall.