In Memory Of
Neil W. Purdum
1940
2022
Neil W. Purdum
December 25, 1940 — January 16, 2022
Ornery ol' cuss Neil Purdum, who never encountered a home repair problem he couldn't fix or a lake where he couldn't land a whopper, left for his final fishing trip on Jan. 16, 2022.
Neil was known for his generosity to friends and family; his skill with virtually any tool from a hammer to an a backhoe; and his plain-spoken opinions, some of them sensible.
A graduate of Washburn Rural High School, he worked in a variety of fields and locations before launching his own business, The House Mechanic, which provided all manner of repairs for homes in the Midwest.
An avid fisherman, Neil loved to regale anyone who'd listen with fishing trip stories, advice on where to fish, which bait would be best or how deep to set a line. He competed in regional and national fishing competitions and over the past couple of years made and sold homemade fishing lures.
He was a smart-aleck who loved to tease and enjoyed being one-upped in return. With his advanced age and bald head, he provided plenty of ammunition.
Neil was a hoarder extraordinaire with an organizational gift for keeping everything in its proper place. After all, you can never tell when working parts from broken items might come in handy.
The combination of his stubbornness, gruff voice and take-me-as-I-am demeanor often created the impression he was super-tough. Sometimes he needed to be. Privately, and more often, he was a softie, especially if it involved children or his pets, Rosie, PJ, and Benz.
Neil was the son of the late Bernard and Pauline (Day) Purdum.
Survivors include his wife, Carole, two daughters, Edna Schull (Kevin) and Anita Limbocher (Terry); two sons, Donny R. Purdum (Janeese) and Vence Purdum (Jay); two stepsons, Matt Mize (Karen) and Michael Mize (Valerie); a brother, Don D. Purdum; and numerous grandchildren and great-children.
If pressured, countless others will admit to having known him, but only in passing.
No service is planned because Neil wouldn't have wanted one. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Neil will be there in spirit, probably with a plan to get even with everyone who contributed to this account.
Neil was known for his generosity to friends and family; his skill with virtually any tool from a hammer to an a backhoe; and his plain-spoken opinions, some of them sensible.
A graduate of Washburn Rural High School, he worked in a variety of fields and locations before launching his own business, The House Mechanic, which provided all manner of repairs for homes in the Midwest.
An avid fisherman, Neil loved to regale anyone who'd listen with fishing trip stories, advice on where to fish, which bait would be best or how deep to set a line. He competed in regional and national fishing competitions and over the past couple of years made and sold homemade fishing lures.
He was a smart-aleck who loved to tease and enjoyed being one-upped in return. With his advanced age and bald head, he provided plenty of ammunition.
Neil was a hoarder extraordinaire with an organizational gift for keeping everything in its proper place. After all, you can never tell when working parts from broken items might come in handy.
The combination of his stubbornness, gruff voice and take-me-as-I-am demeanor often created the impression he was super-tough. Sometimes he needed to be. Privately, and more often, he was a softie, especially if it involved children or his pets, Rosie, PJ, and Benz.
Neil was the son of the late Bernard and Pauline (Day) Purdum.
Survivors include his wife, Carole, two daughters, Edna Schull (Kevin) and Anita Limbocher (Terry); two sons, Donny R. Purdum (Janeese) and Vence Purdum (Jay); two stepsons, Matt Mize (Karen) and Michael Mize (Valerie); a brother, Don D. Purdum; and numerous grandchildren and great-children.
If pressured, countless others will admit to having known him, but only in passing.
No service is planned because Neil wouldn't have wanted one. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Neil will be there in spirit, probably with a plan to get even with everyone who contributed to this account.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Neil W. Purdum, please visit our flower store.
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