Dale R. Purtee

Dale R. Purtee,75 of Union, Michigan died October 25, 2009 at Riverview Manor in Three Rivers, Michigan. He was born February 5, 1934 in Fostoria, Ohio to Arthur W. and Violet F. (Gregg) Purtee. He married Beatrice Ripplinger on June 27, 1981 in Union, Michigan.

She survives along with a daughter, Vicky Lynn Purtee of Belleville, Florida; two stepsons, Thomas Schmitt of Union, Michigan and Steven A. (Kathy) Schmitt of Edwardsburg, Michigan; two stepdaughters, Keri J. & Brenda K. Schmitt both of Elkhart; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; four sisters, Zella Wells of Oregon, Ohio, Corrine (John) Downey of South Carolina, LaVonne Cutcher and Juanita Danko both of Toledo, Ohio; two brothers, Cloyd Purtee of Toledo, Ohio and John (Bertha) Purtee of Harrison, Ohio. Three brothers, Ralph, Russell and Clinton, a sister Claudette Leinherdt and a stepgrandson, Skylar Schmitt all preceded him in death.

Friends may call two hours prior to the funeral service which will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at Stemm Lawson Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Boulevard, Elkhart with Pastor Steven Steele of Kessington Community Church officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Kessington Cemetery, Union, Michigan. Representatives from the United States Army and the D.A.V. Post 19 will provide military honors at the funeral service.

Mr. Purtee was a retired superintendant for Eaz-Lift for 25 years. He was a member of the DAV Post 19, Elkhart and the American Legion of Edwardsburg. He loved his grandchildren, the Chicago Bears and NASCAR. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in the Korean Conflict. An online condolence may be accessed at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com