Mr. James "Purk" C. Purkhiser Jr.

March 14, 1923 - January 18, 2011

James C. "Purk" Purkhiser Jr., 87 of North Vernon passed away at 7:50 a.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon.

Born on March 14, 1923 in Mitchell, Indiana, he was the son of the late James C. Purkhiser Sr. and Vada Josephine Burton Purkhiser.

Purk was an employee of Home Depot in Seymour. He totally enjoyed working with all the staff and he entertained himself writing a bi-monthly newsletter for Home Depot. Prior to Home Depot he was a teacher, coach, auctioneer, horse trainer, and hospital administrator. He thoroughly enjoyed people of all ages and was always willing to give his opinion on most anything to anybody. Purk always talked of the basketball and football teams he coached and assisted. He will be remembered most for his kind and generous comments.

James was a World War II United States Navy veteran serving as a radioman. He was a member of the North Vernon Masonic Lodge.

He is survived by his loving wife, Polly S. Elrod of North Vernon whom he married on May 19, 1946, three sons, Dick (Mary) Lincoln of Glenwood, IA, Tom (Karen) Purkhiser of Mooresville, Paul L. (Partner Mark Olson) Purkhiser of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, a daughter, Jamie Purkhiser of Ohio, a sister, Belma Eberts of North Vernon, a brother, Joe (Murrell) Purkhiser of San Antonio, TX, five grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Vada, and a daughter, Mary Kay Lincoln on July, 26, 1999.

Funeral Information

A funeral service will be held at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Colleen Malone officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Masonic service at 7:45 p.m. by North Vernon Lodge 59 and from 10 am until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will be at Vernon Cemetery with military graveside honors.

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be made through the funeral home to the American Heart Association and/or the American Cancer Society.