Laurel Purdy

Laurel was born on March 23rd, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Henry William and Anna Grace (Bruzek) Hyink. She was an employee of James Heddon & Son in Dowagiac and Dowagiac Box Factory. She loved music, dancing and fishing as well as farming and gardening. Laurel loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandsons was her greatest joy. And let it be known that she was always ready to enjoy conversation and laughter over a good cup of coffee and a piece of pie. She was blessed with boundless energy and enthusiasm. Laurel was always “there” for family and friends. She was an auxiliary member of the American Legion, a member of the D.A.N.K., BPW, the Fraternal Order of Rebekah, St Joseph Kickers Club, an election inspector for the city of Dowagiac and a volunteer driver for the Cass County Department of Social Service for 30 years.Her surviving family includes her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Tom Cagney of Cassopolis, two grandchildren: William Merrick Jr. and his wife Shamma Siddiqi of Northville, MI., and Megan Pena and her husband Paul of Muskegon, MI. Three great grandchildren: Zayn and Qays Merrick and Pablo Pena. One sister, Gloria Moore of Dowagiac, four nieces: Rose Basinger, Susan Churchill, Crystal Sprague and Cindy Custard and a sister-in-law, Eleanor Hoge of Baroda plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. Laurel was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Anna Hyink, both husbands, John G. Purdy and Louis Rudlaff, two brothers, Henry Hyink, Jr. and Owen Hyink and by one niece, Pamela. Her family and friends will gather on Saturday, June 1st at 1 p.m. at the Dowagiac Elks Lodge on Riverside Drive in Dowagiac for a celebration of Laurel’s life where a time of food and fellowship will take place to share her memories. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Hospice at Home. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Laurel at www.yazel-clark.com.