Obit: Purkis, William M.(1893 - 1932)

Contact: Carol(Purkis) Mitte
Email: mcmitte@tds.net

----Sources: SCRAPE BOOK OF PHOEBE (EVENSON) PURKIS

OBITUARY OF

WM, M, PURKIS

Funeral services for William M. Purkis, aged 39 years and 6 months, of Colby, formerly of Unity, who died Thursday morning, April 28, at St. Josephs hospital, Marshfield at 9:45, following an internal hemorrhage and a sudden attack of illness, were held Sunday at the Trinity Lutheran Church at Unity with the Rev.J. A. Olson officiating. The American legion of which Mr. Purkis was affiliated, had charge of the funeral services.

The National Guards of Abbotsford, the Boy Scouts of Colby, American Legion and Auxiliary, Rebekahs and Odd Fellows of Unity, all attended the services in a body. The National Guards fired salute over the grave. The many floral tributes were in charge of the following: Misses Norma and Verna Schjonneman, Mabel Rydberg, Louise Gregerson, Ramona Creed, Vernice Hellestad, Virginia Allain, Virginia Creed, Marion Larson, Genevieve Misener, Telma Wilson and Lyla Fae Ravey. Rev. Blish assisted Rev. Olson in the services. Internment was made in the Colby cemetery. The deceased was born October 27, 1893 at Unity, He was united in marriage to Miss Elsie kops at Colby Nov. 27, 1917,continuing his residence here until last August, when he moved to Colby,where he owned the North Side Filling Station.

Wm. Purkis was an active business man most of his life, conducting a grocery store for some time, and for years in partnership with his brother-in-law, Roy Hudson, until some time ago when he bought the oil station at Colby, moveing his family there.

He was a member of the Odd Fellows and the American Legion and served in eighth company of the one hundred and sixty-first depot brigade of the United States infantry during the World War, for about four months, being mustered out of service in the state of Texas, and receiving an honorable discharge. At the time of his death he had reached the age of 39 years 6 Months. Deceased was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, since 1928 when he asked to become a member of the church. A very faithful church member, attending services regularly, even after they moved to Colby. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Purkis, his widow, three children, Lorraine, Virginia, and Floyd; three brothers, Ed. and Frank of Oak Park, Ill., Clyde of Unity and a sister, Mrs. T. Jacobson of Milwaukee.

Out of town relatives who attended the funeral services for William Purkis were: Mr. and Mrs. Ed Purkis and sons Claude and Orland, of Oak Park Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Purkis of Forest Park , Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. T. Jacobson of Milwaukee; Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Kalk of Wausau, Mrs. Maggie O'Connell of Stevens Point, Mrs. Edna Sparhawk of Stevens Point, Mr. Ernest Knudson of Athens, Mr. Herman Kops of Belleville, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kurth of Granton.

NOTE= WILLIAM PURKIS (BILLY) WAS BORN=10-27-1893

DIED=04-28-1932 HE WAS THE SON OF EDWARD GEORGE AND LAURA(GREGERSON) PURKIS

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the kindness and sympathy shown during our recent bereavement. We want to thank Rev. J. A. Olson and Rev. F. M. Blish for their kind words of consolation, the American Legion and Auxillary, Nathional Guards, Colby Boy Scouts, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, flower girls, neighbors and friends for all thier kindness.

Mrs. Elsie Purkis and children,

Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Purkis

Mrs. T. Jacobson,

Edward, Clyde and Frank Purkis

Trinity Lutheran Church at Unity, Wisconsin