Obituary of John Purcha

PURCHA - John Rudolph Purcha was born on the farm in the Beckenham district of Saskatchewan on July 4, 1915, a son of Nicholas and Katherine (nee Matucz) Purcha. He was raised on the farm and received his education at Bon Accord School. On November 11, 1941 John was united in marriage to Sophie Skorlatowski at Sinnet, Saskatchewan near Lanigan. The couple resided in the Lanigan area for a couple of years before moving to the Kelliher district. John and Sophie settled in the White Eagle district where they farmed and raised their family of four children. In 1991 the couple semi retired from farming and moved into Kelliher. Although they lived in town, John and Sophie still were very much involved in the farm for many years after. Sophie passed away in November 2001. John continued to live in Kelliher and on October 2008 he moved to St. Ann's in Ituna. In February 2010 John moved to St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville. On Wednesday, August 31, 2011 John passed away at St. Paul Lutheran Home in Melville, Saskatchewan at the age of 96 years. John was a kind, gentle and religious man. He enjoyed his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was loved and respected by all who got to know him. John will be sadly missed and loving remembered by his family and friends as well the staff at St. Paul Lutheran Home who referred to him as "our Jonny". Predeceased by his parents; his four brothers, Walter, Tom, Mike and Frank; his three sisters, Mary, Annie and Katie. John is survived by three sons, Carl (Marilyn) of Calgary, AB, Eugene (Margaret) of Kelliher, SK and Leo (Santina) of Calgary, AB; one daughter Dianne (Arnold) Kish of Rose Mary, AB; six grandchildren, Cindy, Hillary, Julie, Derek, Darren and Regina; three great grandchildren, Brandon, Abigail and Michayla; as well as nieces, nephews and friends. Prayers were held Sunday, September 4, 2011 and the funeral mass was held on Monday September 5, 2011 at 11:00a.m at St. Vladimirs Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Albert Schmitz as Celebrant. Amazing Grace, How Great Thou art, Be Not Afraid, and May Flights of Angels Lead You were sung with Jillian deGooijer as organist. Cross Bearer was Rose Purcha and the Readers were Rose Purcha and Gary Lekach. Casket bearers were Willy Cisek, Joe Purcha, Gerald Pawelec, Derek Kish, Willy Maksymowich and Darren Kish. Honorary Bearers were everyone who knew and loved him. Interment took place in the Kelliher Memorial Gardens. Service Information Monday, September 5th, 2011 11:00am, St. Vladimir's Church Interment Details Kelliher Memorial Gardens