Don 'Purk' Purkhiser

Don "Purk" Purkhiser, 83, of Monticello, died at 7:28am, Friday, January 4, 2013 at Monticello Assisted Living and Healthcare Center. He was born September 13, 1929 in Martin County, IN to the late Charles E. and Bertha (James Tomlinson) Purkhiser. His marriage was to Barbara Jean May on August 19, 1956 at the Federated Church in Brookston. She survives in Monticello. Mr. Purkhiser was a 1948 graduate of Chalmers High School. He graduated from Purdue University in 1956 with a B.S. in Agriculture Science and a minor in engineering. In 1966 he received his M.S. in Agriculture Science. Mr. Purkhiser was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, where he served as an elder and deacon. He served in the U.S. Air force from 1948-1952. Mr. Purkhiser taught vocational agriculture for 11 years in Johnson county. In 1967 he moved to Monticello and retired from Twin Lakes High School in 1992. Mr. Purkhiser was a past member of IVATA and past president of IVA. He was a member of the White County Retired Teachers Association and the Bit and Bridle Association. Mr. Purkhiser was the past president and secretary of the Historical Society in Monticello. He was a Boy Scout Leader of Troop #154. For over 60 years he was involved in FFA, starting in 1942. He was a 4-H leader for over 15 years. Mr. Purkhiser was involved with White County Soil and Water Conservation, where he held offices in both regional and county . He was a charter recipient of White County Ag Hall of Fame. Mr. Purkhiser helped author the book "75 Years in the FFA". At Purdue he was a member of the Farm House Fraternity, ALPHA ZETA, which was a National Honorary Farm Fraternity. In 1996 he was the first retired Ag teacher to work on President George Washington's farm inMt. Vernon. He was a research participant for treating hytophonia in Parkinson disease, lead by Jessica E. Huber, Phd. of the Purdue University speech, language and hearing department. Mr. Purkhiser collected barn pictures and enjoyed traveling and fishing. He is also survived by 2 sons, Brian (Pam) Purkhiser of Indianapolis, David Michael Purkhiser of Monticello; a daughter, Beth Ann Purkhiser of Lafayette ; sister-in-law, Vivian Purkhiser of Cassopolice, MI; granddaughters, Heather (significant other, Keith) Purkhiser of Kentucky and Kristen (Mark) Terhune of Beech Grove; and great-grandchildren, Jordan, Xander, Katie, Aaron. He is preceded in death by a brother, E. Dale Purkhiser. Visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm, Monday, January 7, 2013 at The First Presbyterian Church in Monticello. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday . Funeral Services will be at the First Presbyterian Church, Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 1pm with Rev. Thomas Albaum officiating. Burial will be at Brookston I.O.O.F. Cemetery with Military rites. In leiu of flowers, memorials may be given to FFA Foundation in Indianapolis, The First Presbyterian Church in Monticello or The Parkinson Disease Association. You may sign the online guestbook at www.springerfuneralhome.com