Clifford Purdum

Clifford Purdum, 90, of Creston passed away Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at Greater Regional Hospice House in Creston.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, at Cromwell United Church of Christ. Pastor Karen Norton and the Rev. Lyle Kuehl will officiate. Open visitation is from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 809 W. Montgomery St., in Creston. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery at Cromwell with a luncheon to follow at the church. Memorials may be directed to Cromwell United Church of Christ, Greater Regional Hospice House or the local Creston Chapter of the FFA. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Clifford Purdum, son of Bertha Thomas and Aaron Richard Purdum, was born June 9, 1926, near Kent. Clifford entered into rest on January 5, 2017, at the age of 90 years.

During Clifford’s childhood, the family lived in several places in the Lenox community. He attended country schools and Lenox High School.

Clifford entered the United States Army on April 18, 1945, and received basic training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He served in the Army Signal Corps with the 3rd Infantry Division. His responsibilities were to re-establish communication in post WWII Germany. He was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, for the duration of his service and was honorably discharged in 1946. Clifford achieved the rank of sergeant.

Clifford and Leone Sammons were united in marriage on June 15, 1947, at United Methodist Church in Creston. After their marriage, they lived in Lenox and then spent the next 69 years at their Creston farm residence.

Clifford was a lifelong farmer and took pride in constantly improving the farmstead and land. He farmed with his brother Raymond and retired from actively farming in 1997. He made many improvements to both the home and farm buildings during his long career. He enjoyed all aspects of farming, including crop production and raising hogs and cattle.

Clifford was an active member of the community and a member of the Creston BPOE (Elks), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Cromwell United Church of Christ and Crestmoor Golf Club.

Clifford enjoyed traveling, golf, reading and visits to the farm by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed morning coffee with other farmers at the Creston Sale Barn during his retirement.

Clifford is survived by his wife, Leone (Sammons) Purdum of Creston and four children, Debra Chapman (husband Mike) of Ellston, Cyndy Jeffryes (husband Curt) of Ankeny, Curtis Purdum of Ankeny and Tracy Purdum (wife Carla) of Indianola. In addition, he is survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and his sisters-in-law, Bert Purdum of Lenox and Shirlee (Sammons) Ludemann of Grimes.

Clifford was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Raymond and Dale Purdum; and his sisters, Lucille Goldsmith, Gladys Leach and Jean Lewis.