John Claude Purtell, 91, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away April 19, 2026, after a short illness. He was born October 15, 1934, in St Joseph, Missouri, the son of John J. Purtell and Maude (Madison) Purtell. He was a graduate of Central High School in St Joseph, and Drury College (now University) in Springfield, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and received his degree in Business Administration. While in a foreign language class at Drury, he met his future wife Pat McPherson, and they were married in 1954, recently celebrating their 72nd anniversary. They had two daughters, Pamela Jean and Lauralee.

John joined the Naval Reserve his senior year in high school, and served for 19 years. He was on active duty from 1963-1966 during the Vietnam War era.

After starting work at Pittsburg Plate Glass Company in Springfield, John’s career took him to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he worked in corporate sales and sales management in the glass manufacturing industry, with Libby Owens Ford and Guardian Industries. A Green Bay Packers fan since childhood, he happily received the news of a job transfer to Wisconsin, where he and Pat enjoyed being season ticket holders for the next twenty five years. Like true cheeseheads they seldom missed a game on the Frozen Tundra. Favorite Wisconsin activities included annual summer trips to Door County resorts, Milwaukee Brewers Baseball, including the World Series between Milwaukee and St Louis (Cardinals Won), attending Milwaukee Bucks games, summer festivals on Lake Michigan, fresh cheese curds, Wisconsin cherries, and Friday night fish fries.

Both John and Pat, who taught English and advanced composition at Waukesha South High School, enjoyed early retirement, and after living 27 years in Wisconsin moved back to Springfield where they first met in 1952. Here, John’s volunteer work and memberships led him to participate in a variety of activities.

His avocation was always history, particularly the study and research of the Civil War. He served in various leadership positions, including President of the Civil War Round Table of the Ozarks where he was Chairman of their 50th and 55th anniversary events. In retirement John held memberships in and was an active participant in a wide variety of organizations including Life Member of Missouri State Historical Society, Life Member Friends of the Missouri State Archives, National Genealogical Society, Greene County Historical Society, Greene County Historic Sites Board, The Northwest Missouri Genealogical Society, Civil War Roundtable of Kansas City, National Institute of Genealogical Research, Missouri State Genealogical Association, White River Valley Historical Society, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation where he served as Co-Chair of the 125th anniversary of The Battle of Wilson’s Creek.

His passion for genealogical research of both his and Pat’s families began in the 1970s. Long before the days of computers, internet and cell phones, he and Pat traveled the country, and even the world, sitting in musty/dusty back rooms of courthouses and libraries searching through state archives, microfilm and boxes of printed records. They had success traveling to small villages, churches, and cemeteries in Ireland, Germany, Scotland and England in search of their roots. John found he was eligible to be a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He also served as President of The Ozarks Genealogical Society.

John followed in his father’s footsteps and was an active Shriner and a 69 year member of the Gate of the Temple Masonic Lodge # 422, member of Elks Club and Korean War Society, a Lifetime Truman Club Member of the Masonic Home of Missouri, President of the Emerald Park Homeowners Association and also served on the Drury Alumni Council.

A member of Schweitzer church in Springfield, he helped organize LETS (Learn, Eat, Travel, Serve) a group for older adults, arranging for speakers of interest and short local and regional field trips to points of interest and cultural activities. He and Pat were members of Homebuilders Sunday school class. They traveled with church members on a cruise in the Mediterranean, following the journeys of Paul. He and Pat, along with fellow church members and the Rainbow Network, went to Nicaragua and built homes for the poor. Upon his return, he provided the materials and helped build, on the church grounds, a replica of “Maria’s “ house, replicating the living conditions of a typical home in Nicaragua.

John worked tirelessly to help restore Pat’s ancestors’ Century Farm in Taney County, modernizing and making it a more comfortable respite for family and friends to enjoy. Many happy holidays were shared there in the hills of the Ozarks.

John and Pat were blessed to be able to share wonderful travels across the United States and around the world. Favorite destinations warranting repeat trips were: England, St Croix Virgin Islands, and New Orleans. They looked forward to annual winter pilgrimages to Destin, Florida and summer trips to Door County, Wisconsin. Their furthest destination was to Hong Kong and China. With the exception of their very first trip abroad, they planned and traveled on their own, leading to many great memories and adventures.

Some special events were John and Pat’s invitation and attendance at the 1st Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan and John’s Honor Flight to Washington DC.

John was preceded in death by his daughter Lauralee, parents John and Maude Purtell, sister Barbara Hardesty, and nephew Michael Holloway. He is survived by his devoted wife Pat and loving daughter Pam, brother David (Michele), niece Kirsten (Neal) and children, nephew John (Karen) and niece Mary, along with a special cousin Roseanne.

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Friday April 24, 2026 at Schweitzer Church, 2747 E. Sunshine St., in Springfield, followed by visitation and reception. Burial will be at Eastlawn Cemetery, 2244 E. Pythian St, where military honors and Masonic services will be conducted. Arrangements by Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield. Services will be live streamed at