Date Of Birth: October 2, 1934
Date Of Death: February 11, 2013

John Purnell was born on October 2, 1934 in Vicksburg, Mississippi and was the beloved son of Mrs. Lillie W Jenkins. He departed this earthly life on February 11, 2013 at the age of 78. John leaves in his cherished memory an abundance of family including: His loving wife Janie M. Purnell ; 6 children: Joel G Purnell Sr. (Mary) of Portland , Tennessee ; Janice K Purnell- Williams of Deerfield, Florida; Jerry I Purnell (Tracy) and John E Purnell of Kokomo, Indiana; Jared L Purnell ( Johanna) of Florence, Kentucky; Jim B Purnell (Cathy) of Sanford, Florida; God Daughter: Robin Barnes; Daughter-in-law: Alice Purnell; 19 Grandchildren: Joel G Purnell Jr., Bill, Andrew, and David Smith, Quenton L, Jada R., Jessica M. , Clarissa N., Aaron G. Williams, Shelby L., Fabian AJ, Shannon R., Jordan A., Austin R., Jyson B., Purnell and Shanda Bower, Matt Hisey, and Chanel McClure; Sisters: Ruth Jenkins and Barbara Redding of Chicago; Sister-in-law: Mrs. Martha Jackson of Columbia , South Carolina; 3 Great- grandchildren: Lavon Bowser, Rayjon Fowler and Victoria Purnell; Life brothers: Andrew Johnson of Fayetteville, Georgia; Frank Bilberry, Ernest Jenkins , Earl Jackson, and Oscar Harris of Kokomo, Indiana; As well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
John Served in the Air Force for 23 ½ years retiring in 1975. He served in the Military Police and flew on B29’s, B36’s, KC197’s and KC135’s during his military career. He also retired from General Motors. John was a very friendly and outgoing person who was never a stranger to those he came into contact with. He was a member of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana and the American Legion. John also graduated from IVTC with an Associate’s degree. In Lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in the name of John Purnell.