Marvin Purdy

Marvin Martin Purdy, age 95, long time farmer, resident of Blackwell, formerly of Oxford, Kansas, and Tonkawa, passed away on January 19, 2015 at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell, with Reverend Cap McIlnay officiating. Burial with Army Honors will follow at ?!10:00AM?! Monday, January 26 at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in Winfield, Kansas. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Blackwell. Marvin was born on June 18, 1919 to Ruben Edward Purdy II and Cora Caroline (Kuehn) Purdy at the family farm west of Blackwell, Oklahoma. Marvin attended Bethel country school for his primary years and after a year lay out to help with the family farm returned to Blackwell High School where he graduated in 1939. Marvin served in the Army in the first draft of World War II, he oversaw the ambulatory fleet in the north African theater and also spent some time in the Pacific theater before being discharged in the Fall of 1945. Marvin married Wilma Elledge on March 27, 1944, in Blackwell and lived in rural Blackwell for a while before moving to a farm near Oxford in 1950. While living in the Oxford area Marvin was a member of the Oxford Methodist Church and served as a 4-H leader in Cowley County. He was also active in the Cowley County Herford Association. Marvin and Wilma moved to Tonkawa in the mid 1960's, and ultimately back to Blackwell in the early 1980's. Marvin lived on the farm until December 2014 when he moved to the Veterans Home in Winfield. Marvin was very active for over 75 years in the Oklahoma Grange, where he held numerous positions, Oklahoma State Master, Treasure of the National Grange, President of the Oklahoma Grange Insurance, Editor of Oklahoma Grange Newsletter, and secretary/treasurer of the Bethel Grange. Marvin was a man about the farm, and still spent much time with his family, teaching them the value of hard work, but doing it together. He enjoyed the work of his hands and would spend his time woodworking, farming, welding, and doing work for others. He is survived by his son, Ray Purdy and wife Dena of Garden City, Kansas, daughter, Marvis Gaddie and husband Jim of Winfield, Kansas; brothers: Max Purdy and wife Edith of Blackwell, Wayne Purdy and wife Jean of Blackwell, Bob Purdy and wife Agnes of Honeywell, Kansas, Sister, Merlyn Hurd, of New York; Grandchildren: Jana Marstall and husband P.J. of Emporia, Kansas, Mike Gaddie and wife Kristy of Wichita, Barry Purdy and wife Joani of Wichita, Tami Meng and companion Richard Jagles of Garden City; Step-Grandchildren: Allen Fales and wife Vedah of Minnesota, Dwayne Fales and wife Lynette of Minnesota, Jerry Fales and wife Megan of Nebraska, Great-Grandchildren: Brady Marstall, Braxton Marstall, Hailey Purdy, Natalie Purdy, Trent Gaddie, Joel Gaddie, Zeke Gaddie, Reese Meng, Cooper Meng, Graysen Jagels; Step Great-Grandchildren: Colten Fales, Clinten Fales, Sadie Fales, Mason Fales. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wilma, his parents, Ruben and Cora, and brother, Melvin Purdy. Casket bearers will be Brady Marstall, Braxton Marstall, Trent Gaddie, Joel Gaddie, Zeke Gaddie, and Reese Meng. Honorary casket bearers will be Mike Gaddie, Barry Purdy, PJ Marstall, Graysen Jagels, Lee Granell, Tom Hall, and Dennis Benjamin. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Rivercross Hospice, 251 S. Whittier Street, Wichita, Kansas 67207, the Winfield State Veteran's Home, 1220 World War II Memorial Drive, Winfield, Kansas 67156,or the Oklahoma Grange Association, Rt. 1 Box 106, South Coffeyville, OK 74072.