Obit: Purgett, Norman (1943 - 1963)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Purgett, Churkey

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 08/01/1963

Purgett, Norman (26 DEC 1943 - 25 JUL 1963)

Fatigue is credited with the death of Norman Purgett, 10-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Purgett, route 2, Owen (Clark Co., Wis.), which occurred at 3:50 Thursday morning in the city of Marshfield.

Norman was returning home from Stevens Point where he had gone to visit a girlfriend attending summer school at the college there when he apparently missed a curve and struck a large elm tree dead center with his late model convertible Corvair car.

According to investigation officers Purgett had stopped at a Marshfield gas station at about 3:15 a.m. saying he was tired and asked permission to rest for about 30 minutes.  The attendant complied and awakened him in the prescribed time.  Purgett then drove off and apparently still asleep as his car went straight down the highway into a tree a few blocks away.

His car was completely demolished and authorities said his death was instant due to a broken neck.

Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the First congregational Church, Owen, with rev. Ralph Claybaugh officiating.  Serving as pallbearers were former classmates Kim Ericksmoen, Dave Maki, Jon Miller, Daniel Devine, Tom Riber, and Bab Haselow.  In charge of floral offerings were Donna Herrington, Carol Bartosiak, Sherry Amacher, Pat Phillips, Penny Wall and Ginger Schopfer.

Norman was born Dec. 26, 1943 at Owen where he attended the public school system being a member of the graduating class of 1962.  Since his graduation he has been employed at Northern Freeport Silo Co. in Withee.

His tragic death is mourned by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Purgett, a sister, Mrs. Donald (Nadine) Churkey, Withee, and two brothers, Maynard and Michael, both of whom are at home.

Those from out of town attending the funeral were Mrs. Elizabeth Smedegard, Highland Park, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. George Wood and Gloria, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Wood and David, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Dorriot, Minneapolis, Minn., Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fenton, Mr. and Mrs. Felix Wood, Mrs. Rose Galler, Rhinelander, Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Purgett, Brookfield, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Zimmerman, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Purgett, Germantown, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Neitzel, Menomonee Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Purgett, Thiensville, Mr. and Mrs. George Boon, Gloria and Tommy, Mrs. Henry Stevens, Mrs. Frank Stevens, Mrs. Harvey Ferkie, Stetsonville, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Hedlund, Boyceville.