Charles Howard "Chuck" Purk

Charles Howard “Chuck” Purk, age 64, of Tama, passed away in the peacefulness of his home with family at his side on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 11, 2019. He went to be with families who have gone on before when God took his hand.           A visitation will be held from 3-6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 15th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . Memorials may be directed to his family. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown is caring for Chuck and his family. Ph. 641-844-1234.           Born on August 20th, 1955, in Marshalltown, he was the son of Leonard and Donna (Smith) Purk. He graduated from the South Tama High School in 1974.           On May 22nd, 1976, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Becky Aldridge, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Tama. They made their home in Tama all of their married lives. He began his working career after marriage as a produce hauler for Spooner’s, hauling grain for his father and then Reisinger Trucking before taking a leap of faith with Becky and establishing their own trucking company. After years of hauling grain, they changed product lines and started hauling paperboard from Caraustar to Minneapolis. In 2005, they leased on ZLine Trucking until retiring in 2010.           Chuck endured many challenges in retirement with his health, but continued fighting with the love and help of his family at his side. He enjoyed taking rides around town, talking with friends and family, watching TV (especially police shows), coon hunting, mechanic work and treasured the time with family, friends, and fur-babies Kibbles and Sophie. He was a member of the North American Big Game Club.           Left to cherish his memory are Becky, his loving wife of 43 years; five children- Jeremy (Jodi) Purk of Le Grand, Josh (Monica) Purk of Tama, Amanda Purk of Clutier, Jarade Purk (Crystal Kaufman) and Adam (Abbie) Purk all of Tama; grandchildren- Marissa, Natalie, Alicia, Dallas, Brooklyn, Gabbie, Kash and Huntleigh as well as four great-grandsons- Brayden, Deklen, Jace and Austin and great-granddaughter Lexie. Also surviving are his siblings- Mike (Nancy) Purk, Luke Purk, Bev (Larry) Blocker, Sally Catherwood, Joe (Kelly) Purk, Clyde (Bonnie) Purk, Tait Purk and Alfred (Linda) Purk, his fur-babies Kibbles and Sophie and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.           In death, Chuck rejoined his parents Leonard and Donna, brothers Max and Frank and sister, Peggy.