Purk Edwin

VAN WERT, Ohio - Edwin Dale "E.D." Purk, 83, of Van Wert, died at 3:50 a.m. Sunday, May 29, 2011, at the Van Wert Co. Hospital, Van Wert.

He was born May 5, 1928, in Allen County, Ind., to the late Agnes C. (Beauchot) Purk and Harley O. Purk. His wife, Ruth (Heath) Purk, died Aug. 25, 1990. The couple was married April 17, 1948, in Dixon, Ohio.

Survivors include his children: Bernita (Bill) Griner of Decatur, Ind., and Janet Purk of Van Wert; a sister: Betty (Eugene) Brown of Van Wert; his grandchildren: Murlin D. (Kelly) Griner and Corina Lister, both of Decatur; great-grandchildren: Samantha Griner of Decatur, Shawntel and Shelby Griner, both of Colorado, Zachary Lister of Decatur; a stepgrandchild: Alex Singleton of Decatur, and great-great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Chandler and Payton Meyer.

He worked for the International Harvester Corp. in Ft. Wayne, Ind., for over 33 years, retiring in 1981. He was a long time member of Local 57 in Ft. Wayne.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 3, 2011, at the Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home, Van Wert. The Rev. Paul Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Convoy IOOF Cemetery, Convoy, Ohio.

Calling hours are 2-8 p.m. Thursday, June 2, 2011, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are Van Wert EMS or the CHP Visiting Nurses Association.