Edward Purcell

Edward K. Purcell, 84, of Brookings, S.D., died Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at Brookview Manor.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Church of the Nazarene in Cape Girardeau.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to Global Partners, the missions outreach of the Wesleyan Church.

Edward Kenneth "E.K." Purcell was born Sept. 18, 1923, in Broadhead, Ky., to Edward and Minnie Owens Purcell. Shortly after his birth the family moved to the Batavia, Ohio, area where he grew up.

He and Louella Marie Hahn were married Oct. 25, 1941.

Two years later he entered the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Bassett in the South Pacific during World War II. As a member of the Bassett crew, he was part of the rescue effort for the survivors of the USS Indianapolis.

After returning from the Navy, Edward continued his education, receiving bachelor of theology, bachelor of arts, master of theology and doctor of theology degrees.

Edward was ordained as a minister in the Pilgrim Holiness Church (now Wesleyan Church) in August 1949. In the mid-1950s he and Louella served as missionaries in Suriname, South America, and Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. After returning to the U.S., he pastored churches in Indiana, Michigan, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.

He received many honors in his life, including being listed in Marquis' "Who's Who in Religion" and the American Biographical Institute's "Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans."

Most important to him, however, was knowing that he was listed in God's "book of life."

Edward is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Louella of Brookings; four children, Edward (Doris) Purcell of Olathe, Kan., Barbara (Frank) Crockett of Silvis, Ill., Minnie Martin of Topeka, Kan., Tim (Dawn) Purcell of Brookings; two brothers, John Purcell of Cincinnati, Glenn Purcell of Denver.; a sister, Sarah Culpepper of Batavia; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.