John W. “Jack” Purtell, 91
John W. “Jack” Purtell, 91 of Ashland passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Brethren Care Village with his family by his side.
He was born on March 24, 1933 in Painesville, Ohio. Jack was raised by his mother, Louise (nee Jones) Purtell.
Jack graduated from Thomas W. Harvey High School, Class of 1951. He proudly served in the United States Army. Jack graduated from Ashland College in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in education where he played and was captain of his basketball and baseball teams.
He married the love of his life, the former Linda Sue Heddleson on July 25, 1959.
Jack retired after more than 35 years from Abbott Laboratories in 1994.
In his earlier years, Jack played and coached for the fastpitch softball on the Faultless Rubberman team. He was an avid golfer and member of the Elks Club in Ashland. Jack ran the Ashland Youth Baseball League and coached his son’s baseball teams for over 15 years. Throughout his career, he served on many boards including the YMCA, The Country Club of Ashland and YMBC.
He is survived by his children, Jack M. (Laurel) Purtell of Westerville; Jill (Wallace) Albrecht of Franklin, Tennessee, Jim (Joelle) Purtell of Vermilion, and Jeff (Theresa) Purtell of San Angelo, Texas; 13 grandchildren, Kelsey (John) Dailey of Westerville, Kenzie Purtell of Westerville, Courtney Purtell of Westerville, Claire (Samuel) Crawford of Atlanta, Georgia, Margaret Albrecht of Houston, Texas, Alex (Jocelyn) Purtell of Westerville, Luke (Bethany) Purtell of Fairborn, Ohio, Jacob Purtell of Ashland, Sara (Bryke) Williams of Ashland, Kelsey Maloney of New York, New York, Nick (Kim) Purtell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Zack (Kaila) Purtell of San Angelo, Texas, and Matthew Purtell of San Angelo Texas; seven great grandchildren, Tatum Dailey, Mollie and Kennedy Purtell, Ezra and Ellia Williams, and Ava and Isabella Purtell; nephew Ron (Susan) Heddleson of Wake Forest, North Carolina, his friend and companion of 15 years, Judy Provost of Ashland; and a sister-in-law, Mary Anne Purtell of Cyprus, Texas.
In addition to his mother, Jack is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years of marriage, Mrs. Linda Purtell who passed away on May 21, 2004; and two brothers, Bob Purtell and Tom (Betty) Purtell.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home with Chaplain Dean Pierce presiding. Interment will follow in the Ashland County Memorial Park where the Ashland Veterans Honor Guard will conduct full military honors. Friends may call Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and two hours prior to the service on Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Brethren Care Village for the love, compassion, and care they showed Jack over the last year.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Ashland University, Athletics, by visiting, https://advancement.ashland.edu/giving-opportunities/ or Ashland Y.M.C.A., 207 Miller Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805 or to Brethren Care Village, 2000 Center Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com