Patrick J. Durkin

Patrick J. Durkin, 84, of Indianapolis, passed away on October 11, 2025. He was born May 3, 1941, in Decatur, Indiana to the late Gerald and Velma Durkin. Pat was a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Syracuse, Indiana, where he attended high school and junior college. He then completed a B.A. in Philosophy at Athenaeum of Ohio, a division of Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. Afterwards, Pat completed four years of theology at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordained a priest in 1967. Later he completed a M.A. in Education at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pat was a pastor/associate pastor for nearly 20 years in the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, serving communities in Churubusco, Mishawaka, and Fort Wayne. His last parish was Sacred Heart in Fort Wayne, where he served for seven years before leaving the ministry in 1987. He later married Susan J. (Iehl) Durkin. They were married for 20 years until her death in 2007. Pat retired from State government in 2008, following a 21-year career with the Family and Social Service Administration and the Indiana Department of Health. During this time, he also served three years as pastor of a small independent Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2009, Pat married Pamela Ayres Durkin. They were married for 15 years until her death in 2024. Pat was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Pat was also a friend of the church at Irvington Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 East Washington Street. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor John Reinink of Irvington Presbyterian Church and will immediately follow visitation. Interment will take place Monday, October 20, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Decatur, Indiana. Pat is survived by his brother, Father Daniel Durkin of Fort Wayne, Indiana; cousins, Lucy (Robert) Riegel of Indianapolis, Indiana, Teresa (Al) Kearney of Glenview, Illinois, and Margie Rehill and her daughter Peg Rehill of Decatur, Indiana; stepsons, Jeffrey (Deborah) Emminger, Scott (Joan) Emminger, and Christopher Ayres; step-grandchildren, Tyler Walker, Karen Emminger, Sarah Emminger, Tristan Emminger, and Rachel Emminger; and step-great-grandchildren, Chloe Walker and Liam Walker. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Susan Durkin; and his second wife, Pamela Ayres Durkin. Memorial contributions may be made in Patrick’s honor to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 4625 N. Kenwood Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (www.staindy.org) or Irvington Presbyterian Church, 55 Johnson Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219 (www.irvpresby.org)

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Patrick J. Durkin

May 3, 1941 - October 11, 2025