Robert “Popeye” Duren, 89, of Festus died July 4, 2020, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Duren was retired from the maintenance department at the former PPG glass plant in Crystal City and a member of Selma American Baptist Church of Festus. He was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Army and a member of VFW Post 3777, American Legion Post 253, Elks Lodge 1721 and the Festus/Crystal City Conservation Club. He was a longtime fur trapper and wildlife educator, and a member of Furtakers of America, a member of the National Trappers Association and a member and Hall of Fame inductee of the Missouri Trappers Association. He also was a member of the Conservation Federation of Missouri, and in 1997 he and his son Ralph were recognized as its Conservation Communicators of the Year. He was born Dec. 17, 1930, in Bonne Terre, the son of the late Violet (Mabrey) and Ralph Duren. He was preceded in death by his wife: Rosa (nee Cash) Duren.
He is survived by two sons: Ralph (Cheryl) Duren of Jefferson City and Rob (Janet) Duren of Warrenton; three daughters: Becky (Don) Huskey of DeSoto, Rhonda (Dennis) Mitchell of Herculaneum and Robin (Steve) Batts of De Soto; 18 grandchildren; and 36 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by seven brothers: Alvin, Raymond, Virgil, Frank, Donald, George and Elmer Duren; three sisters: Juanita Duren, Nancy Delaney and Roberta O’Neal; and a grandson: Nathan Huskey.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 9, at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Sam Williams. Burial with full military honors is in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.