James Walter Purcell

Mattoon, IL-James Walter Purcell, age 95, of Mattoon, IL, passed away at 4:10 p.m., February 26, 2015, at Mattoon Health Care Center.\r\n\r\nThe funeral service in his honor will begin at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938, with Reverend Richard Eident officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. Military rites will be conducted by the Mattoon VFW Post #4325. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m., until the service begins.\r\n \r\nBorn December 5, 1919, in Mattoon, IL, James was the son of Charles W. and Clara K. (Bender) Purcell. He married Myra Annabelle Andres on November 25, 1948, in Mattoon, IL. She preceded him in death on August 2, 1986. Survivors include one son, Philip Purcell and wife Marilyn of Mattoon, IL; one daughter-in-law, Vivian Purcell of Mattoon, IL; one sister, Mildred Maxey of Cincinnati, OH; two grandchildren, Melanie Woods and husband Ryan of Tuscola, IL, and Kelly Armer and husband Jared of Mattoon, IL; one step-grandchild, Chris French and partner Karen Rouse of Bloomington, IL; five great grandchildren, Noah Woods, Nicholas Woods, Lauren Woods, Conlan Armer, and Rylan Armer; and four step great-grandchildren, Whitney French, Katelyn French, Bryce French, and Chase French. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Richard L. Purcell; one brother, Ed Purcell, and one sister, Ilene Cox. \r\n\r\nMr. Purcell served our country with the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He achieved the rank of Master Seargent and was Flight Line Maintenance Chief in the 5th and 12th Squadrons of the 3rd Photographic Group under the Command of Lt. Col. Elliott Roosevelt in the European Theater. He was awarded a Silver Battle Star, a Bronze Battle Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, the American Defense Medal, and over 5 Overseas Bars. \r\nMr. Purcell was a member of the First Christian Church of Mattoon, IL, where he served as an elder. Other memberships included Lifetime Member of the Mattoon Masonic Lodge #260, Danville Consistory, Life Member of the VFW Post #4325 of Mattoon, member of the Ansar Shrine of Springfield, IL, Charter Member of the Ansar Cornbelt Cycle Patrol of Mattoon, IL, Royal Neighbors of America, Fraternal Order of the Eagles of Mattoon, IL, Brotherhood of the National Signalman Association, P38 National Association, Low 12 Club, Past Patron Elect of the Lady 40 of Order of the Eastern Star. \r\n\r\nAfter 40 years of service, Mr. Purcell retired from Conrail Railroad. He had previously worked for New York Central and Penn Central. \r\n\r\nMemorials in his honor may be made to the First Christian Church of Mattoon Building Fund. \r\n\r\nPlease visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in his honor or share a memory with his family. \r\n

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James Walter Purcell

December 5, 2019 - February 26, 2015