Richard Carlton Purney Jr.

Richard C. "Dick" Purney Jr., 71, of Topeka, died November 26, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born in Toledo, Ohio on December 14, 1940 the son of Richard Carlton and Beulah (Konz) Purney Sr. He served in the U.S. Air Force with the 310th Bomb Wing of the Strategic Air Command stationed at Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas. It is there he met and married the love of his life, Sharon L. Tinkler on January 22, 1961. Dick was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He lived his life as an honest man always believing that honesty was the best policy and taught his sons the value of being honest. He loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle as do his sons and grandson. He was always full of laughter and had an ornery streak about him. His friends will remember the times they spent with him in his garage where he would hold his "prayer meetings" known only to those who participated. Dick especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Cody and Sydney. He is survived by his wife Sharon of the home, two sons, Jeff Purney and Steve Purney and wife Janice all of Topeka, two grandchildren, Cody Purney and Sydney Purney, two step grandchildren, Chelsea and Emily Amack, a sister-in-law Shirley Purney of Henderson, Nevada and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Tom Purney. Dick was cremated. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Thursday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 312 Freeman, followed by a military honors ceremony conducted by Philip Billard Post #1650 of the VFW. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Dick?s memory to the Sacred Heart Altar Society or Midland Hospice Care and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.