Obituary - Maxwell Elmer Purcell

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Maxwell (Max) Purcell of Steelville, Missouri, formerly of Salem, Missouri passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at the Gibbs Care Center in Steelville, Missouri at the age of 92. Max was born in Rector, Missouri on November 10, 1924 to the late Elmer Moses, and Hattie (Dooley) Purcell.

On July 11, 1955 Mr. Max Purcell took the hand of the beautiful Ms. Wanda Snow as his bride, this union was blessed with eight children. 1955 was a good year for Max, it was also the year he went to work as a machinist at McDonald Douglas in St. Louis building aircrafts, Max loved his job and worked there until he retired in the late 1980's.

Max grew up in the Akers community on the family farm where he found his love for farming, fishing the rivers, and enjoying the waters of the Current River. After he retired and had more time on his hands, he put out a huge garden and a few pear trees. It was never work to him, he enjoyed getting out and hoeing and weeding, and was always happy to share the bounty of his labor with his family and friends. Max adored his family and spending time with them was what he enjoyed most. He was a loving and devoted father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, he will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.


Maxwell Purcell is survived by his special friend and companion, Donna Isgriggs, of Steelville, MO; children, Stacy Purcell and friend Lucy, of Salem, MO, Hattie (Vickie) Large, of Rolla, MO, Patsy Hamrick,of Sullivan, MO, Geneva Philo, and husband Vern, of Sullivan, MO, Doug Purcell, of Licking, MO, Jeff Purcell, of Lackland, FL, and Martha Purcell, of St. Charles, MO; brothers, Sam Purcell and wife Kathleen, of Salem, MO, Jim Purcell and wife Maudlin, of Gladden, MO, and Joe Purcell, of CA; 25 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, extend family and friends.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Wanda; son Jesse Purcell; brothers Vancel, Arch, and Clem Purcell; sister, Wilma Purcell Chrisco.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Sunday, February 5, 2017 at the Salem Chapel of the James & Gahr Mortuary with Pastor Gary Chilton officiating. Internment will follow at the Sullivan IOOF Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 from 5-7PM.