Elmer Reno Purvis

Elmer Reno Purvis, age 83, lifelong resident of Sherman County, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022 at Topside Manor. 

Elmer was born to Ralph and Murel (Moore) Purvis on the family farm in Sherman County. He attended Sandy Hill and Smokey Hill Country schools until the 8th grade. He completed diesel mechanics training and received a diploma from Interstate Training Service for Diesel and Heavy Equipment. On June 5, 1960 he married Joyce Tracey in Texhoma, Oklahoma.  Elmer lived all his life in Sherman County, except for 4 years while working for Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, he returned to the family farm in October 1961. 

He was raised in a Christian home and fondly recalled his mom reading Bible stories and praying with him. He especially remembered the time when he was 4 years old, while riding on a trailer of wheat with his 8 year old sister, JoAnn. His father was turning onto a cement slab to dump the wheat when Elmer decided to climb off over the side, slipped and slid under the trailer, the tires went over the pelvis area, breaking his hips and causing severe internal injuries.  Doctors in Goodland didn’t expect him to live and was keeping him sedated, after 24 hours they called in Dr. Renner who performed a life saving surgery. 

Elmer loved to farm and could hardly wait each spring to be out in the field.  He put down an irrigation well in 1965, and irrigated by ditch-type for many years, laying out pipe, changing water morning and night and all that goes with it.  Later he changed to using sprinkler systems. The kids said that dad decided to go to center pivots after there was no children to help move pipe and change water.  He was blessed when Stan and Becky agreed to move back to Sherman County and help farm. 

As the grandkids came along, he loved giving them tractor and combine rides. Elmer loved music, playing his steel guitar, and having someone playing piano or other instruments along with him.  He sang with a men’s quartet at church. Elmer served on the board at Goodland Bible Church, the Goodland Christian School, and the McPherson Township Board. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; 3 sisters, Minnie Brazda, Irene Jewel and Ruth Sears. 

Elmer is survived by his wife, Joyce of Sherman County; children, Terri (Jerry) Spooner of Fort Morgan, CO, Tammy (Tim) Rensberger of Buchanan, MI, Stan (Becky) Purvis of Sherman County, Steve (Carrie) Purvis of Niles, MI, Tracy (John) Adams of Troy, IL; grandchildren, Jill (Tanner) Dixon, Drew (Kinsey), Zach (Jamie), Zeb (Karent) Tedford, Bryce (Malorie) Rensberger, Lance (Caitlin), Tiffany and Lisa (Logan) Veer, Mac, Katie, LJ, Kamie Purvis, Tyrel (Alyssa) Purvis, Trey (Kelsey), Taylor (Chelseah) Purvis, Jaather, Luke and Kara Adams; great-greatgrandchildren, Wyatt and Lane Dixon, Mason Tedford, Emma, Ella, Ezra, Ezekiel Tedford, Kinsley and Levi Rensberger, Elias and Sadie Rensberger, Paisley, Presley and Phoenix Purvis, Aurora, Zulina Purvis and Savannah Purvis; brother, Wayne and sister, JoAnn James as well many nieces and nephews. 

Memorials may be designated to Life Action Ministries, Ethnos360 or Goodland Bible Church and may be left at the service or sent in care of Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, Kansas 67735.  Information and online condolences www.batemanfuneral.com

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