Jonathan Wayne Purtee , age 55 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at I.U. Health Hospital in Muncie following a very brief illness.  He was born January 14, 1964 in Elwood, the son of Charles E. "Mike" and Karen S. (Leachman) Purtee.  Jon was a 1982 graduate of Madison Grant High School.  He helped his dad with farming all of his life.  Jon was a longtime member of Harmony Christian Church in Leisure.  He loved anything to do with farming, tractors, and lawn mowers.  He especially liked to mow grass with his dad; collect toy tractors; and enjoyed watching the "Andy Griffith Show" on a regular basis.  He was proud to own a 1966 Dodge Monoco which had been in his family for many years.  John enjoyed studying history, genealogy, and old cemeteries; and he had a real gift of memory – able to recollect dates and points in history with ease.  More than anything, Jon enjoyed spending time with his family, and he never knew a stranger.  He enjoyed talking and socializing with everyone he met.

Jon's family includes his parents, Charles E. "Mike" and Karen S. Purtee of Elwood; 2 sisters, Teresa Renee (husband Dean) Miller of Mendon, MI and Stephanie Sitzes (David Beher) of Greentown; 5 nieces and nephews, Kourtney Bragg, Chance Bragg, Hayden Sitzes, Amber Gerth and Clint Hunter; and 2 special cousins, Bruce Leachman of Lowden, IA and Steven Leachman of Columbia City.  Jon was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, James (wife Madelene) Purtee; maternal grandparents, George (wife Beulah) Leachman; and uncle, Dennis Leachman.

A funeral service celebrating Jon's life will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Friday, January 10, 2020 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Pastor Tom Mansbarger and Pastor Josh Shoemaker officiating.  Burial will follow in Knox Chapel Cemetery in rural Fairmount.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 12:00 to 3:00 pm on Friday, January 10, 2020 prior to the service at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.   Memorial contributions are suggested to Harmony Christian Church through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.