Ronald E. Purdy

Ronald E. Purdy, 83, of Grand Island died Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, in Omaha.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Theresa Mason officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Apfel Funeral Home.

Mr. Purdy was born April 5, 1930, in Grand Island, the son of Raymond and Irene (Falmlen) Purdy.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lois.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Gladys (Larsen) Purdy; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Lynne Purdy and Doug and Julie Purdy, all of Omaha; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Scott Zier and Carol and Dean Mitchell, all of Omaha; a sister, Marlene Goos of Omaha; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a stepdaughter, Deanie and Lee Waggoner of Axtell; four stepgrandchildren and eight stepgreat-grandchildren.

Ron grew up in Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island Senior High with the class of 1948.

He was united in marriage to Lois (Louise) Hahn on May 23, 1953, in Grand Island. The couple made their home in Grand Island, where they were blessed with four children: Michael, Jean, Doug and Carol.

He was employed by Procter & Gamble as a sales representative for 35 years until his retirement in 1988.

He was active in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, a member of Riverside Country Club, Ashler Lodge No. 33 AF & AM, Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and Royal Order of Jesters, Stuhr Museum, Saddle Club, Shrines International, Liederkranz, Nebraska Seniors Golf Association, BPO Elks Lodge, The Studebaker Club and The Nebraska National Guard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Irene Purdy, and his first wife, Lois Purdy, on Jan. 25, 1991.

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to please consider memorials to the Stuhr Museum or Shriners Childrens Hospital.