Helen Irma Eaves Purkaple Amunrud

Helen Irma Eaves Purkaple Amunrud MARION-Helen Irma Eaves Purkaple Amunrud, 82, of Marion went home to be with the Lord at 4:27 PM, Friday, June 11, 2010 at Parkway Manor in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, June 14, 2010 at the Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Dr. Bob Dickerson and Reverend Thomas Purkaple officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Anna City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Music Department; envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Helen was born March 4, 1928 in Anna to Frank and Mamie (Martin) Eaves. She married Donald Purkaple; he preceded her in death in1989. She later married Robert Amunrud on June 1, 1996 in Granite City; they were united in marriage by her grandson, Reverend Thomas Purkaple. Survivors include her husband, Robert Amunrud of Marion; sons, Steven Purkaple of Oden, David Purkaple of Benton and James Purkaple of Granite City; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and many cousins and other relatives; at a recent reunion she counted 110. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband; brothers, Glenn and Frank “Bunky”; and sister, Mary Ruth. Helen was a graduate of Anna Jonesboro High School, Class of 1945 and later graduated from SIU with an Education degree. She taught 4th grade for 34 years at Vencie and Rose Lake schools. She was a member of the teachers society, Delta Kappa Gamma. She retired to the Lake of Egypt and was on the Board of Directors at Egypt Shores Subdivision. She was a member of Marion First Baptist Church and because of her love for music she joined the Celebration Choir and the Joy Singers Choir. She was an active in senior adult activities and helped in providing meals to International Students at SIU. Her and her husband Robert, moved to Liberty Village in 2004. She enjoyed many activities among them were playing Bridge, reading, a dancing member of Smoothies Dance Club, basketball, baseball, raising flowers and bird watching.