George Purtle

George "Alan" Purtle, 59, of Topeka, died December 8, 2011 at Stormont Vail Regional Medical Center. He was born on October 28, 1952 in Anna, Illinois to George John and Clara Rosalie (Basse) Purtle. George graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. degree and Highest Honors in 1974 and his Master of Science degree in 1975, both in Civil Engineering. He was a Civil/Structural Engineer in Illinois, Texas, Florida and Kansas from 1975 until 2009. He received the ACEC Engineering Excellence Award for his work on Kellogg Avenue (US 54) Woodlawn Interchange in May of 2009. George was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and the N.S.P.E. He married Kathleen Louise Long in Anna, Illinois on May 24, 1975. She survives. He is also survived by numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his father in 1956 and his mother in 2002. George will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home after 2:00 p.m. on Monday where a Vigil Prayer Service will be at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church. After services in Topeka he will be taken to Illinois. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Crain Funeral Home in Anna, Illinois with interment following in the Anna Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Helping Hands Humane Society or Feed the Children Foundation 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.