Ruth Purdy

Ruth Gwen Purdy, 93 of Central Lake, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, died peacefully, Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility. She was born July 17, 1921 to William and Marie (Thompson) Oliver, the 4th of 7 children and she graduated from Central Lake High School in 1938. Ruth married William Purdy on June 15, 1941 in Central Lake. While Bill was deployed to France during WWII, Ruth worked hard to help support her family by working at the bomber plant in Detroit as a riveter. Upon moving back north, Ruth worked at Texas Instruments for many years before retiring, and spending her winters in Florida. In her spare time, Ruth became an accomplished artist doing paintings, carvings, knitting, embroidery, and quilting. Ruth is survived by her 2 children Connie (William) Slade of Manistee, and Gary (Sue) Purdy of Central Lake, 5 grandchildren Debbie (Wayne) Pardee, Todd Bloom, Shannon Sytek, Brant Slade, and Daryl (Angie) Purdy, 5 great grandchildren Wayne Pardee, Hunter Slade, Somer Slade, Garrett Purdy, and Hailey Slade, 3 siblings Harold (Janet) Oliver of Central Lake, Helen Derenzy of Bellaire, and Nina Pallister of Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill in 1987, siblings Howard Oliver, Doris Dawson, and Betty Zook. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 12, at 3 p.m. at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes with Pastor Max Tracey officiating. Interment will follow at Southern Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Community Church, PO BOX 400, Central Lake, MI 49622. Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.