Obituary of Donald Purvis

Donald A. Purvis, 91 formerly of Iowa City died Friday, February 23, 2007, at a care center in Hollister, MO following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, March 2, 2007, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with the Rev. Dr. C. Edward Morgan officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm Thursday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established in Don’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for his family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Donald Amrine Purvis was born February 1, 1916, in Iowa City, Iowa the son of Bruce and Ollie (Amrine) Purvis. Growing up in Iowa City he attended schools here, graduating from City High School. On June 24, 1937, Don married Theodora L. “Ted” Miller in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He joined the Iowa City Police Department in 1943, retiring as Captain in 1967 due to a medical condition. He also worked at Colonial Lanes before he and Ted moved to Missouri in 1973. The couple lived in Blue Eye. MO for four years, and moved to Hollister, MO where they have resided until their deaths. Ted died July 28, 1990. Don was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, member of the IOOF Eureka Lodge #44 in Iowa City, Iowa City Policeman’s Association, Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police and Peace Officers, and the Iowa State Policeman’s Association. Not only did Don work at Colonial Lanes, he and Ted enjoyed bowling, both were in leagues in Iowa City and Branson and were members of the Iowa City Bowling Association. His family includes daughter, Priscilla Johnson and her husband, Ronald of Oxford; sons, Ronald Purvis of British Columbia, and Dennis Purvis of Glendale, AZ; four grandchildren, one step-grandchild, six great-grandchildren; niece, Sybil Christine and her husband, Ben of Aurora, CO, nephew, Robert Claus of Cedar Falls; and Don’s dear friend in Missouri, Gladys Woodside of Branson, MO. Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Ted; brothers, Kenneth and Howard Purvis; and nieces Mary Purvis and Jeannine Claus. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Don’s family and his services.