Jackie "Jack" Lee Purcell, 74 of Palestine, IL, died at his home at 6:55 p.m. Sunday, September 26, 2004. He was born July 29, 1930 in Palestine, IL, the son of Otis Purcell and Minnie Hawkins Purcell.
He was maintenance supervisor at L. S. Heath and Sons for 20 years retiring in 1992. He served in the U. S. Army as a Corporal in the finance office at Ft. Jackson, SC from 1951-1953. He enjoyed making and flying model aircrafts his entire life. His talents were the subject of countless newspaper and magazine stories regarding his flying.
He married Nelda Lankston on October 23, 1954 and she survives. He is also survived by 3 daughters and sons-in-law, Deanna and Tim Behrman, Edgewood, IL, Brenda and Rusty Mitchell, Hartford City, IN, Tonda and David Summers, Altamont; his mother-in-law, Marjorie Lankston, Palestine; 9 grandchildren, LeEtta, Lacey, and Larissa Bayne, Jonathan, Lindsey, and Justin Mitchell, Jerod Summers, Chelsay, and Rheagan Behrman; 3 sisters and a brother-in-law, Faye Ferguson, Stoy, Betty Moore, Atwood, Ruth and Milford Sheese, Robinson; 2 brothers, Bob Purcell and Paul Purcell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 1 brother, Bill Purcell; 2 sisters, Maxine Kirk, and Marie Leggitt; infant daughter, Pam Purcell in 1955; and his father-in-law, Wilbur Lankston.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 2, 2004 at the Goodwine Funeral Home, Palestine with Rev. James Delaney III officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Military graveside services will be conducted by the combined units of the Robinson V. F. W. Post #4549, Robinson American Legion Post #69, and Palestine AmVets Post #33. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, October 1st. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Lincoln Trail Hospice, 520 S. Seventh St, Vincennes, IN. 47591 with envelopes available at the funeral home.