Ella Deloris “Dee” Purser, age 86, residing in Payne, Ohio, formerly of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Vancrest of Payne.  Ella was born on October 15, 1935, in Lake County, Tennessee to the late, Royce and Betty (Charalton) Williams. 

On May 21, 1955, in Hernando, Mississippi, Dee was united in marriage to Mervin E. Purser. They enjoyed nearly 60 years together before his passing on April 9, 2014. 

Dee is survived by her daughter, Kim A. (Joe) Fuksa of Edwardsburg; three sons Danny J. Purser of South Bend, Steven Shawn (Kathy) Purser of Osceola and Todd Purser of Quinlan, Texas; eleven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.  Dee was also preceded in death by her son and daughter-in-law, Mervin E. Purser, Jr. and Toni Purser; two sisters, Eva Joyce Quick and Ernestine Rainwater; and two brothers, Gaither Williams and James R. Williams. 

Dee was a faithful member of Apostolic Temple. She also previously served as a teacher’s aide for special need students with South Bend Community School Corporation, retiring after 22 years.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, August 12, 2022, at Palmer Funeral Home – River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN.  Pastor Chris Rowe will officiate. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home. 

Online condolences can be shared with the Purser family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.