Wallace D. "Purk" Purkey, Sr., age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, August 27, 2005, at Otterbein Portage Valley, Pemberville, Ohio. He was born on July 24, 1914, in Bloomdale, Ohio to Robert and Estella (Oberholtzer) Purkey. He graduated from Bloomdale High School in 1932 where he played football and basketball. He played the trombone in the high school band and in the Bloomdale Canary Orchestra. Purk married Lena Hamman on January 13, 1935 in Bloomdale, Ohio. Purk and Lena lived in Wood and Lucas Counties all their married life, including living in Toledo, Stony Ridge, Moline, and Oregon before they moved to Portage Valley in Pemberville in 1995. He retired from Dana Corporation in 1979 where he had worked as an inspector for 13 years. Previously he worked for the Electric Auto-Lite Company for 27 years, sold real estate for Blair Real Estate Company and in his later years delivered school busses for Tesco Co. He started selling property and casualty insurance part-time in 1953. He maintained a small office in his home in Moline, Ohio for over 20 years. He merged his agency with that of his son, Wallace Jr. which became The Purkey Insurance Agency doing business in Northwood, Ohio. The agency still operates today under the management of Wallace's granddaughter, Robin (Purkey) VanGorder. He was raised in a faithful Christian family and continued that legacy all his life. He was a member of the Methodist churches in Bloomdale, Moline, Christ United Methodist Church in Oregon, Ohio and most recently became a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pemberville, Ohio. He served as Sunday school superintendent, church board member, usher and choir member and director. Purk was known for his faithful attendance, willingness to serve, and his unfailing support for the work of the church. Purk was also very involved in scouting, serving as Scout Master of the Moline Troop #63 as well as a Committeeman. He saw both his sons attain high levels of achievement, including his son, Craig's God and Country Award. He was actively involved in the Lake Township Kiwanis Club in the 1950's and 1960's, serving a term as its president. He and Lena also were very involved in the Toledo Airstream Club in the 1970's and 1980's, and he served as its president in 1984. Purk and Lena loved to travel, first taking their children on camping and road trips to the American west, then eventually spending several years as "Snow Birds" in South Texas during the1970's and 1980's, living in the warm climate during the winter months. Purk was known for his sincere love for his family, and he was a caring husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. He never met a stranger, and his sincere interest in other people warmed the hearts of everyone he met. He was a trusting, honest man who lived a life of integrity, an example greatly appreciated by his children. He was always willing to help others, and had boundless energy and enthusiasm for the chance to serve people. In his later years he faithfully served in many areas at Otterbein Portage Valley, including delivering newspapers at 5:00 every morning and taking other residents on outings in the center's bus. Everyone who met Purk came to love him. He had a great sense of humor, and his family and friends have many wonderful memories of good times they enjoyed with him. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness and faithful service which his family hopes to perpetuate. He will be truly missed by his family and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Lena. He is survived by his children, Wallace Jr. (Ruth), Craig (Shirley) of Seattle, WA, Amber Jean Eudaly (Nate) of Grand Prairie, TX; grandchildren, Robin VanGorder (Steven), Justin Purkey (Tammy), Bradley Purkey (Molly), Laura McCracken (Kevin) and Daniel Eudaly; great-grandchildren, Megan VanGorder, Devin VanGorder, Kyle Purkey, Tyler Purkey and Bess Purkey and step great-grandchildren, Kurt Pryka, Corey Pryka, Ryan Price and Evan Price. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Evelyn Hausser, Kenneth Purkey and Florence Schmidt. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the Eggleston Meinert Pavley Funeral Home Millbury Chapel, 1111 Woodville Rd., Millbury, Ohio. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at Otterbein Portage Valley, 20311 Pemberville Rd., Pemberville, Ohio. Friends may visit at 1 p.m. in the chapel and the funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in Wallace's memory are asked to consider Otterbein Portage Valley. Visitation: Visitation Times Tuesday, 2-5 & 7-9 p.m. Millbury Chapel