Paul Edward Purvis

Paul E. Purvis, 86, of Gladbrook, Iowa, passed away Monday, May 13, 2024 at Westbrook Acres.

Per the wishes of Paul and his family, cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 23 at 10:30 A.M. at Gladbrook Methodist Church with Rev. Gideon Gallo officiating. He will be laid to rest at Maple Hill Cemetery. Friends and family are also invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, May 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. All attendees are invited to wear casual attire. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. For questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Paul Edward Purvis was born March 19, 1938 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to parents Edward and Margaret (Carstedt) Purvis. He grew up in rural Cedar Falls, the third of four children, and graduated from Reinbeck High School in 1956. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Kay Sells, on July 2, 1961 at Pleasant Hill Church in Toledo, Iowa.

After being drafted by the United States Army in 1962, Paul completed his basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. He honorably served his country until 1964, beginning in Virginia Beach, VA where his wife joined him until he was transferred to France and Germany. Upon his discharge, he lived in Grundy Center and Reinbeck before settling in Gladbrook.

Paul’s entire career revolved around trucking and shelling. He began as a truck driver for Morrison Co-Op, operated his own corn-shelling business, Paul Purvis Trucking and Shelling and worked for FS Co-Operative. He then dedicated 37 ½ years grading, truck driving, and then finally retiring as the foreman of Tama County in 2005.

In his free-time, he loved being outdoors: hunting, fishing, bird-watching and camping. He also enjoyed driving for Miller Farms, taking trips to the casino and going to sprint car races in Knoxville. He was a member of Gladbrook Methodist Church and the American Legion in Gladbrook. More than anything, Paul loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Kay; two sons: Terry (Vicki) Purvis and Trey (Julie) Purvis; grandchildren: Hillary (Zach) Peña, Tanner (Paige) Purvis, Alex Purvis, Taylor Purvis and Max Purvis; great-grandchildren: Anaya and Mariah Peña and Trace Purvis; his sister, Peggy Lamb; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In eternal life, Paul is preceded in death by his parents Edward and Margaret, his sister Jeannette (Paul) Voss, brother Richard Purvis and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Rex and Fern Sells.