James R. "Jim" Purcell 1927 - 2008

TROBAUGH, PURCELL, SOLOMEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/7/2019 at 20:40:32

Sioux City Journal
13 October 2008

SIOUX CITY -- James R. "Jim" Purcell, 81, of Sioux City died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, at his residence following a long illness.

Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kevin Lee, Pastor of Morningside Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites conducted jointly by the American Legion Post 64 and the V.F.W. Post 1973. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.christysmith.com.

Jim was born on Jan. 2, 1927, in South Sioux City, the youngest of 13 children, to Michael J. and Phoebe (Trobaugh) Purcell. He lived in Sioux City until the age of three. Because of the death of his parents, he moved to Wisconsin, where he attended elementary school in Danbury, Wis. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 through 1947, when he returned to Sioux City. He then worked for the Sioux City Brick & Tile Co. and for Armour & Co. In 1950, he went to work for the city of Sioux City in the utility department. He retired as a supervisor in 1991.

He was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church, the American Legion, Edward H. Monahan Post 64, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1973 and the Sioux City Eagles Club Aerie 77. Jim loved to travel and went to many different baseball parks to see games, being an avid baseball fan. He enjoyed working in his garden. He was also a bowler and liked to go to casinos with friends.

Survivors include three grandchildren, Donald E. Purcell Jr. and his wife, Jayne of Sioux City, Monica Fouts and her friend, Mike Ashcraft of Plattsmouth, Neb., and Angie Powles and her husband, Kevin of Cedar Creek, Neb.; nine great-grandchildren, Donnie Purcell, Alisha Ridge and her husband, Jeremy, Billie Fouts, Cassandra Fouts, Danielle Fouts, Alexandria Purcell, Zachary Purcell, Cheri Raddatz and Lisa Raddatz; four great-great-grandchildren, Karley and Emily Ridge, Kyle Walding and Trinity Segovia; and a close friend and caregiver, Stan Malcom.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 12 brothers and sisters; his son, Donald E. Purcell Sr.; his wife, Hazel (Solomen) Purcell; and his companions, Ruth Woods and Eleanor Nielsen.