Albert “Al” Dodds Durand
With sorrow, respect, and great love we mourn the passing of Albert “Al” Dodds Durand on June 12, 2026, at the age of 82.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Palmyra, MO. Rev. Eric Anderson will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, MO.
Friends and Family are invited to Al’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Palmyra, MO.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, MO.
Albert, known as Al to his friends and family, was born on November 23, 1943, in Hannibal, Missouri, to Albert Lee Durand and Jean Dodds Durand. Al grew up in Palmyra, graduated from Palmyra High School, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
On July 2, 1966, he married the love of his life, Elaine Hertel, at Eden United Church of Christ in St. Louis, Missouri.
After serving in corporate pharmacies in St. Louis, Al returned to Palmyra in 1978 to manage and serve the family pharmacy, Durand’s Drugs, a long-time anchor on Main Street. For many years, Al served as a trusted community pharmacist for years, willing to open the pharmacy at all hours to meet the medical needs off smilies and faithfully supplying medicine to Maple Lawn Nursing Home.
Al was also a devoted civic servant. He gave generously of his time and leadership to the Palmyra community through service on the Palmyra School Board, City Council, the Palmyra Board of Public Works, and Kiwanis. He ran the clock and scoreboard for years for Palmyra Football and Basketball. He was instrumental in bringing local 911 emergency dispatching to the county and-region, serving as chairman of the Marion County 911 Board for more than 20 years.
Al was a member of Palmyra United Methodist Church, where he served in a variety of leadership roles, including chair of the Administrative Council.
One of Al’s greatest joys was sharing the accomplishments of his sons and grandchildren. Beyond his many hours of work and community service, he enjoyed fishing expeditions and travel with friends, model trains, and cheering for Cardinals baseball and Missouri football and basketball.
Al was a lifelong learner, and earned a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Hannibal LaGrange University.
Al is survived by his wife, Elaine Durand; his sister, Ann Durand, his sons Brian (Cheryl) Durand and Kevin (Carrie) Durand, his grandchildren, Noah, Audrey, Carter, Ella, and Zara, and his niece and nephew, Lynda and Tim (Amy) Hertel, and great nieces Rebecca and Katelin and great nephew Jacob.
Pallbearers will be Noah Durand, Carter Durand, Tim Hertel, Jim Browning, Steve Lovegreen, and Mike Hall.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Lenzini, Mike Bertani and Mac Fisher.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Palmyra United Methodist Church.