Indiana PCO Steve Durnil Dies

WASHINGTON, Ind. — Steven J. Durnil, owner of Durnil’s Termite and Pest Control, Washington, Ind., died from injuries sustained in a car accident Monday. He was 42.

According to the Washington Times Herald, Durnil was driving a 2006 Ford F-150 owned by his pest control business south on SR 257 crossing a bypass at 9:17 a.m. Monday. As he crossed the eastbound lane, he hit the side of a 1992 Freightliner semi driven for Elmer Buchta Trucking of Otwell by Morris L. Nowaskie Jr., 41, of Vincennes. Upon impact, Durnil, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the pickup. The semi came to rest in the median east of the intersection. (Click here to read the Times story).

One of Durnil’s closest friends was J.R. Campbell, owner of Indiana Pest Control, Kokomo, Ind. “We will remember him as a person who would shoot from the hip, who would tell you how it was. He made his name a household name in a lot of Daviess County,” Campbell told the Times Herald. “He was proactive in helping shape some industry regulations working with the state chemist’s office.”

Another industry professional and friend of Durnil was Dr. Gary Bennett, coordinator, Center — Urban/Industrial Entomology, Purdue University. Bennet told PCT that Durnil was always available to help out through his involvement with Purdue or with the Indiana Pest Management Association. “Steve was a real friend and fine professional who always was available to help us out in just about any situation,” Bennett said.

Durnil grew his pest control business from the ground up, tripling its size. He employed 10 people at Durnil’s Termite and Pest Control.

Durnil, 42, leaves behind his wife, Dee, a son, a stepson and two daughters, one of them an infant.