Mr. Gary Lee Purnell , age 69, of Vevay, Indiana, Gary entered this life on May 5, 1946, in Vevay, Indiana, the son of, Stanley Purnell & Charlotte (Coy) Purnell-Walker. He was raised in Vevay, Indiana, where he attended school. At the age of 13 he started working at Unwiller Hardware Store to help support the family. He worked for Roberts Grocery Store at the age of 16. At the age of 19, Gary was inducted into the United States Army on December 1, 1965, in Louisville, Kentucky, serving during the Vietnam War. He earned the National Defense Medal and was honorably discharged with the rank of Specialist 4th Class on November 30, 1967, Fort Carson, Colorado. Gary was united in marriage on May 17, 1969, by Rev. Walker at the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Bear Branch, Indiana, to Barbara Joyce Rose and to this union arrived a son, Mark and a daughter, Eve to bless their home. Gary and Barbara shared 46 years of marriage together until his death. Gary was employed for the US Shoe Factory in Vevay, Indiana, for 3 years after he returned home from the Army. He then was employed as a meat cutter for Swiss Market for 15 years. He then went back to the US Shoe Factory for another 15 years until the factory closed. Gary was employed for Belterra Casino & Resort, retiring in 2011, after 10 years of service. Gary resided all of his life in the Switzerland County Community. Gary enjoyed hunting and fishing in his early years of life and hosted many yearly fish fries for friends and relatives. He also enjoyed the family dogs, Scarlett 1 and 2, Bernie and Ed. Gary died at 12:35 pm, Monday, July 13, 2015, at the Swiss Villa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Vevay, Indiana.

Gary will be missed by his wife: Barbara Joyce (Rose) Purnell of Vevay, IN; his son: Mark Purnell of Vevay, IN; his daughter: Eve "Sis" Purnell of Vevay, IN; his grandson: Zachery "Zac" Purnell of Vevay, IN; his mother: Charlotte (Coy) Purnell-Walker of Vevay, IN; his brother: Galen Purnell of Moorefield, IN; his brother-in-laws: John Lock of Vevay, IN & Lewis Rose of Tucson, AZ; his sister-in-laws: Becky Purnell of Vevay, IN & Jeannie Sellers & her husband: Jerry of Hanover, IN & his several nieces, nephews, cousins & other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his father: Stanley Purnell, died December 23, 1978; his step-father: Ralph Walker, died in 1969; his paternal grandparents: Omer & Mary Purnell; his maternal grandparents: Lawrence & Bertha (Scudder) Coy; his brother: Charles L. Purnell, died August 3, 2001; his sister: Bonnie Jean Lock; his aunt: Jean Purnell & his uncle: Eddie B. Purnell.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 pm, Friday, July 17, 2015, by Rodney L. Nay, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana.

Full military rites and Interment will be conducted at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison, Indiana by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185, the Vevay VFW Post #5396 and the Fort Knox Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, Friday, July 17, 2015, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street, Vevay, Indiana

Memorial contributions may be made to Vevay American Legion Post #185 Relief Fund or to the Vevay VFW Post #5396 Relief Fund. Cards are available at the funeral home.

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