Edward C. Purcell died on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003, at his Owatonna home. He was 54 years old. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale with Rev. Mark Huberty officiating. Burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans’ Cemetery in Little Falls. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, and 9-10 a.m. on Thursday, at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Annandale. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Edward Charles Purcell was born Aug. 7, 1948, in St. Cloud to Earl and Bernice (Coombs) Purcell. He graduated from Annandale High School in 1966 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Viet Nam War. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Naval Commendation with Combat V. He married Audrey Rosenow in February 1971 and they later divorced. Ed owned and operated Purcell Excavating in Annandale from 1982-1994. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign War and a former member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Purcell was preceded in death by his mother and two nieces. He is survived by his two sons Jeff Purcell of St. Cloud and Joe Purcell of Annandale; his father and step-mother Earl and Helen Purcell of Annandale; his brothers and sisters: Jack (and Peggy) Purcell of Annandale, Larry (and Anna) Purcell of Annandale, Donald (and Patty) Purcell of Maple Lake, Robert (and Carol) Purcell of Annandale, Mary (and William) Greene of Owatonna, Daniel Purcell of South Haven, Deborah (and Dean) Flygare of Annandale, Timothy (and Mary) Purcell of Winsted; several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jack, Larry, Donald, Robert and Timothy Purcell, and Bill Latour. Honorary pallbearers will be Daniel Purcell, Mary Greene and Deborah Flygare.
