Rev. Robert Earl Purchase Sr.

The Rev. Robert
Purchase Sr.
The Rev. Robert Earl Purchase Sr., 54, of Cresthill, Ill., formerly of East St. Louis, Ill., who went to spend eternity with our Lord, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Kindred Hospital, Sycamore, Ill.
The Rev. Purchase was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Joliet, Ill., where he served on the Deacon Board, the Outreach Ministries, the Baptist Youth Fellowship Children's Department, the Ministry Council and led the intercessory prayer group. He was a supervisor for Nicor Gas Co., where he was employed for 29 years.
As a dedicated family man and sports enthusiast, he never missed his sons' or grandsons' sporting events, until his health failed.
The Rev. Purchase was preceded in death by his mother, Inez C., nee Johnson, Purchase.
He leaves to celebrate his life his loving and devoted wife of 35 years, Lillie, nee Ruffin, Purchase; two sons, Steven Purchase of Joliet, Ill., and Robert (Connie) Purchase Jr. of Joliet, Ill.; five grandchildren; his father, Donald L. Purchase Sr. of East St. Louis, Ill.; four sisters, Gwendolyn (Jerome) Shepherd of Belleville, Ill., Donna (Jerry) Christopher of Festus, Mo., Jacqueline Purchase of Belleville, Ill., and Deborah (James) Johns of Belleville, Ill.; four brothers, Donald (Carolyn) Purchase Jr., of Houston, Texas, Craig (Debra) Purchase of Joliet, Ill., Samuel (Lola) Purchase of Houston, Texas, ad Christopher Purchase of Belleville, Ill.; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation: Friends may call from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Joliet, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, 2003, at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Joliet, Ill., with the Rev. Richard D. House officiating.

MINOR-MORRIS FUNERAL HOME, Joliet, Ill.