Gerald Louis Purcell (81) of Lake Pauline

LTC (U. S. Army Retired) Gerald Louis Purcell (known to friends and family as “The Colonel”) 81 years of age, of Lake Pauline, Effingham, Illinois, died in his home on Monday, October 3, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer and subsequent illnesses.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday October 22, 2022, at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Effingham with military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2022, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to 4H Llama Lleaders, c/o Patricia Purcell, 1500 Marguerite Lane, Effingham IL 62401 and/or Effingham County Humane Society, 12073 N. 1000th Rd, Effingham, IL. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Gerald was born December 9, 1940, in Granite City, Illinois to Gerald Thomas and Marguerite Francis (Nash) Purcell. Gerald married Nancy Lynn Neilson, and to this union one daughter was born, Katie Nash Purcell. He later married Patricia “Trish” Jean Martin in 1988, to whom he remained married for the rest of his life.

He attended elementary and high School in Granite City, Illinois. Further schooling included a math and economics bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist College in Fayette, Missouri as well as graduate work in Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri. Soon after, he went to work for International Harvester Implement Company collecting owed debts.

He eventually enlisted rather than be drafted into the U.S. Army, which led to a military career.

Gerald served in the United States Army for approximately 25 years, from which he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1987. He began his military career as an Enlisted soldier and a private in 1967. He attended the Officer Candidate School and became a Commissioned Officer (Lieutenant). He furthered his military career by completing the Helicopter Pilot Course at Savannah, Georgia and becoming a qualified helicopter pilot. He flew mostly Huey helicopters, but occasionally flew Bell Jet Rangers, Cobras, and a Blackhawk.

He was stationed in Bien Hoa Viet Nam during 1969, at the “Top Tigers” 68th Assault Helicopter Aviation Company, for which duty he received 33 Air Medals. During this time he flew approximately ten hours a day seven days a week. Then Captain Gerald Purcell was awarded the Flying Cross by the U.S. Army for his heroic acts during his time in Viet Nam.

He attended the Command and General Staff College and also completed tours of duty in Korea, Fort Carson, Colorado, St. Louis, Missouri at the Army Aviation Systems Command, and Oakdale, Pennsylvania at the 99th Army Reserve Command.

He was sometimes known as “Major Hollywood” due to his good looks and vibrant personality.

Gerald was a collector of antique cars and other various antiques. He was competitive and enjoyed being physically fit and weightlifting, as well as throwing darts and playing pool. Gerald had a burning passion his whole life for rescuing animals. He also found joy socializing in his garage with friends.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Patricia (Trish) Jean Martin of Lake Pauline, Effingham, Illinois; his daughter, Katie Nash and her husband Sean Yeo of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and son of his heart, Jason (Kim) Vollmer of Effingham.

He was preceded in death by his parents Marguerite Francis Nash Purcell (2010) and Gerald Thomas Purcell (1980).