Michael L. Purkey

COAL CITY—Michael L. “Purk” Purkey, 69, of Coal City, passed away Friday, Sept. 6, 2019 at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home after a hard fought battle with cancer.
He was born Aug. 22, 1950 in Kankakee to Neil and Eileen (nee Skinner) Purkey. He grew up in the Kankakee area, graduating from Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School. Purk married LaVonne “Bonnie” Purkey on Feb. 15, 1989 in Lake Tahoe, NV. He worked for AT&T as a Custom System Technician, retiring after 41 years.
Purk had many interests, but his true passion was aviation. He earned his pilot's license, enjoyed flying to visit family and at one time even built his own plane. He and Bonnie traveled to Reno every year to see the National Air Races and made great friends there who they named their “Reno Family.” He was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox. He played baseball most of his life, coached Little League and later played with the “After 40 League.” Purk's most important interest, though, was his family. He was devoted to his wife, his children and his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching the kids and grandkids in their sports and activities and taking them on rides on the pontoon.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Bonnie; his daughters: Holly ( Michael) McDaniel, of Coal City; Shannon Purkey, of Streamwood, IL and Katie (Carl) Farris, of Streator, IL; his son, Michael (Jennie) Purkey, of Richmond, VA; his grandchildren: Lindsey VanWinsen, Timothy VanWinsen Jr., Michael McDaniel, Zachary Garza, Donovan Thompson, Sapphire Farris, Genevieve Farris, Edward Farris, Malcolm Farris, Caiden Purkey and Triston Purkey; his great-grandchildren: Landon VanWinsen, Jameson Schell, Adelynn Armour and Brayden VanWinsen; his sister, Cheryl (Robert) Adams, of St. Anne, IL; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Jean Orr, of Rockdale, IL, Jerry (Jackie) Siebersma, of Coal City; Linda (Tom) Adams, of Wilmington and Dennis (Diane) Siebersma, of Coal City as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019 at Ferrari Funeral Services, 1044 Ferrari Dr., Coal City, IL. 60416 with “Memories of Purk” being shared at 7 p.m.
Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.ferrarifuneral.com
Ferrari Funeral Services are entrusted with arrangements.