PURDY, Francis H.

Francis H. Purdy, 89, of Grand Island, died Thursday morning, November 18, 2004 at Wedgewood Care Center. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 22, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Pauls Lutheran Church. Revs. Randy Fett, Joel Schroeder and Jerry Quandt will officiate. Burial will be in the Grand Island Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 P.M. at the Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home with the family present to receive friends. Francis Henry Purdy was born January 3, 1915 to Francis William Purdy and Gretchen Emilie (Weinstock) Purdy in Hildreth, Nebraska. He grew up in Hildreth, where he was active in sports and music, setting several county records in track. A talented, self-taught musician on trumpet, piano, and related instruments, he started the Francis Purdy Orchestra, a dance band that was popular throughout the region. He received his high school diploma in 1932. After graduating high school, he attended Hastings College for two years where he was active in football, track, and band. He continued his education at the Hohenshu-Carpenter College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, Missouri. He received his degree in Mortuary Science in 1936, and later his Funeral Director’s license. He returned to Nebraska and joined the Lvingston-Sondermann Funeral Home in Grand Island where he was employed, with the exception of the time he served his country during World War II, until his retirement in 1980. In 1941 he enlisted in the United Stated Naval Reserve and on September 18th was called to active duty. He was stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Receiving Station and later transferred to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia for duty. On February 13, 1942 he married Evelyn Sophia Hansen in Portsmouth, Virginia. They were married for 62 years. Mr. Purdy served 19 months in Iceland before returning to the United States where he was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. He was promoted to the rank of Chief Pharmacist’s Mate and later transferred to the Marines and sent to Camp Pendleton in California where he was trained in combat with special training in gas and germ warfare treatment. He and his company in the Second Division Marines served in Saipan, Okinawa, and the occupation of Nagasaki, Japan. He was active in both the Atlantic and Pacific Campaigns and received several medals and decorations for his contributions and valor during World War II. On November 20, 1945 he was honorably discharged from the Navy in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Purdy was a member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, where he served on the church cabinet during the building of the current church and also chaired the selection committee for the sanctuary organ. He was a member of Ashler Lodge 33 and was recognized by the Lodge with 50 and 60 year pins. He was also a member of Duel Chapter 11 of the Rite of the Royal Arch Masons, a member of the Knights Templar 6, the Tehama Temple Shrine, the Central Nebraska Shrine Club, a member and Past worthy Patron of the Order of Eastern Star Andrew Chapter 41, a member of the Grand Island Rifle Club, the National Rifle Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion. Mr. Purdy was very athletic and loved the outdoors. During his lifetime he was an avid golfer, fisherman, and hunter. He will be remembered for his love of life and people, his professionalism and compassion as a funeral director, his generosity toward the community with his many musical talents, for his love for and devotion to his wife and family, and for his wonderful sense of humor and enormous courage. He brought joy, wisdom, and comfort to many lives. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Purdy; two daughters and sons-in-law, Francine and Bruce Clayton of Carmel, Indiana, and Charmaine and John Coppom of Greeley, Colorado; four grandchildren, Sarah and Beth Clayton and Michael and Jonathan Coppom; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Darlene Purdy of Lincoln, Nebraska; and two sisters, Gwendolyn Beck of Powell, Wyoming, and Clarice Schuck of Thousand Oaks, California. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Gretchen Johnson.