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Christine L. Purlee, 44, of Howe, Ind., was surrounded by her family early Saturday morning, Dec. 5, 2009, at her home when she was called home to be with her Lord and savior following a hard fought battle with cancer.
She was born June 25, 1965, in Coldwater, Mich., a daughter to Roger and Genevieve (Brouillard) Smoker.
Chris had resided in Howe since 1984 coming from Sturgis, Mich., where she graduated from Sturgis High School with the class of 1983.
On July 21, 1984, she married Gregory A. Purlee at the First Baptist Church in Sturgis.
Chris had been employed as an executive secretary at the Kirsch Company in Sturgis until the birth of her son at which time she became a stay at home mom and home schooled her three children. She also did medical transcribing from her home for several years.
She was a very active member of the LaGrange First Church of God in Lagrange, Ind., and truly valued and loved her church family.
Chris was always looking for ways to give of herself to others and had become active in Forgotten Children Ministries. Through this mission outreach she had taken several trips to Honduras ministering to street children and orphans. She enjoyed going on walks, watching birds, making rugs and quilting. For many years she made sunshine baskets that were anonymously given to people suffering from illness or cancer. Chris was always active and involved but what she cherished most was time with her family.
She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 25 years, Greg; one son, Aaron Purlee at home; two daughters,, Jenna Purlee and Robin Purlee, both at home; mother, Genevieve Smoker and her special friend, Joy Kent of Winter Haven, Fla.; father and step-mother, Roger (Darlene) Smoker of Bronson, Mich.; one sister, Shelly (Dennis) Case of Bronson, Mich.; one brother, Scott Smoker of Bronson, Mich.; one step-sister, Vicki (Reid) Greene of Bronson, Mich.; one step-brother, Ron (Cheryl) Post of Georgia; father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and JoAnne Purlee of Burr Oak, Mich.; sister-in-law, Ann (Tom) Darrington of Burr Oak and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents and one step-sister, Deb Preder.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Christine Purlee will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the LaGrange First Church of God, 777 N. Detroit St., LaGrange, Ind., 46761. The Rev. Brian VanOsdol will officiate. Private burial of the ashes will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Howe, Ind., at a later date.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, (269) 651-2331 is handling the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Chris’s memory consider the Forgotten Children Ministries, P.O. Box 24085, Chattanooga, Tenn., 37422-4085.
