Dorothy Purkey, nee Kunkel, 90, of Camino, California died peacefully at home, Sunday, November 6, 2022, surrounded by family. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
Dorothy was born in Klemme’s Corner, Indiana on June 12, 1932, to Ohmer and Verena Schwegman Kunkel. Dorothy married Edward Purkey on October 17, 1953, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. After being an Air Force wife for 8 years, Dorothy and her family moved to Southern California where she would help her husband run a car business. Later, they settled in Camino, in a home she would lovingly call “The Farm”. In town, Dorothy and Edward opened a video store, which they maintained until their retirement. Dorothy loved to play tennis and enjoyed being outside where she was often found fishing, or mowing grass. She had a beautiful smile, and a warm laugh that could brighten any room. She was an avid card player who was always ready to play a game. She loved to travel and made a number of road trips all across the country. Later in life, Dorothy’s main hobby became watching Patrick Mahomes, of the Kansas City Chiefs play football. He was her favorite, and she would never miss a game. Perhaps, more than anything, Dorothy loved spending time with her family, particularly on her farm. Nothing would brighten her day quite like a surprise visit from those she loved.
In addition to her husband of more than sixty-nine years, Dorothy is survived by two children: Melinda George and David Purkey; four grandchildren: Matthew George, Rebecca George Dolcini, Nicole Purkey Gocke, and Christopher Purkey; eight great-grandchildren; Abbigayle George, Olivia Dolcini, Charlotte Dolcini, Emma Gocke, Easton Gocke, Colt Gocke, Presley Purkey, and Caden Purkey; three brothers: Orville Kunkel, Virgil Kunkel, and Ohmer Kunkel Jr.; two sisters: Jean Drewes, and Florence Lunsford; and many nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Annette Kuntz, and brother, Lester Kunkel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Father Vince Lampert officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church or to the St. Peter’s Cemetery Fund.
For more information, send condolences, or sign the online guest book, please go to, www.cookrosenberger.com. Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements and is honored to care for Dorothy’s family.