Matthew Aaron Purves

(Mr. Matt; Grumpy Grandpa)

August 18, 1952 – January 9, 2022

Matthew Aaron Purves (Matt) was born to Clare Wood Purves and Martha Valerie Flanagan on August 18, 1952, in Jackson, Michigan. After the death of his father in 1956, due to injuries received during the Normandy invasion of WWII, his mother struggled to care for him and his siblings, and he was eventually placed in Lansing’s St. Vincent’s Orphanage.

At St. Vincent’s he learned the value of hard work. The children in the orphanage were required to make their own beds, take care of their clean laundry, and were assigned other chores to do. Matt recalled that one of his favorite chores was buffing the hardwood floors. He also enjoyed spending time helping in the kitchen. Life in the orphanage was not all work, though. Matt had fond memories of the fun he had building his soap-box derby race car, as well as a memorable birthday spent with Fess Parker, the actor who played Davy Crocket in the Walt Disney movie and Daniel Boone in the 1960’s television series.

Viola Trierweiler was a cook at the orphanage and, when Matt was about 15 years old, Leon and Viola Trierweiler took him into their home and apprenticed him at their catering business, Ye Olde Country Caterers in DeWitt. There he learned a trade that would support him and his family into his retirement.

In addition to working at Ye Olde Country Caterers, Matt worked as a chef at several catering services in the greater Lansing area: Home Dairy and Bretton Square Caterers in Holt; Country House Caterers in Okemos; and Prairie Creek Golf Course and Banquet Center in DeWitt.

During his teen years, Matt loved spending time riding and caring for his horse, Kelly, his Honda motorcycle, and hanging out with his friends at Cavanaugh’s gravel pit. He enjoyed music of all genres and was an excellent dancer. Matt graduated from DeWitt High School in 1972 and immediately enlisted in the Air National Guard. He served in the National Guard for six years and was honorably discharged in 1978.

Matt married his high school sweetheart, Denice Hiatt, in 1974. They moved to Round Lake in 1975 where they raised a family of five children. Matt adored his children and took great pride in his family. He was generous and supportive of his children and strove to give them all the things and experiences he lacked as a child. He enjoyed fishing with them, taking them skiing, tubing, and jet skiing. He delighted in watching the boys play football, “Triple-play” Stephen play baseball, Christopher perform with his bands, and watching Rachel’s dance and tumbling recitals. Matt took his family on many memorable vacations up north, to Chicago, South Dakota, Virginia, and Florida (including Disney World!) just to name a few. Some of his favorite trips were to Chicago, where he and Rachel enjoyed watching the Cubs play ball at Wrigley Field. He would also fondly recall a memorable trip to Colorado where he, David, and Matthew enjoyed the slopes.

Matt was playful in spirit and enjoyed playing board games, card games, bocci ball, and croquet with the kids and grandkids. One of the highlights of each year was the trip to Richard Masters’ cottage on Oden Island where the entire extended family would gather to play for a week in the summer. Grandchildren, Kayleigh and Connor, learned very quickly to keep a close eye on Grandpa to make sure he didn’t cheat! He spent many an afternoon with his grandsons, Finn and Colin, playing with cars and had great fun donning his GG (Grumpy Grandpa) cape and mask playing superheroes with them.

Denice and Matt’s marriage ended after 21 years, but their friendship lasted a lifetime. Matt moved in with Denice and their daughter, Rachel, after he retired in 2016. Busy by nature, he was always working on some project or another around the house. He particularly enjoyed taking care of the yard and helping Denice with the household maintenance. For relaxation he enjoyed sitting on the deck while drinking his coffee and watching the birds at the feeder. He also enjoyed going to the casino with his friend, Olive Reed.

Matt passed from this life to the next at home on January 9, 2022.

Matt is survived by his children Matthew John Purves (Julie Barrett), David Purves, Daughter-in-law, Christina Purves (Stephen), Christopher Purves, and Rachel Purves; his grandchildren Connor Purves, Kayleigh Purves, Finn Purves, and Colin Purves; lifelong friend, Denice Hiatt Purves; Mother-in-law, Marilyn Hiatt; Sisters-in-law Sandy Hiatt (Rick Masters), Deborah Hiatt, and Stephanie Hiatt; sister Christine Purves Defelice; and his foster brothers Dale (Anne) Trierweiler and Mark (Linda) Trierweiler.

Matt was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Purves; his parents, Clare and Martha Purves; His siblings Clare Purves, Jr., Michael Purves, and Marlene Purves Speer; his grandmother, Valerie Olin Flanagan; his father-in-law, John Hiatt; and foster parents, Leon and Viola Trierweiler.

The family would like to acknowledge the DeWitt Breakfast Lions Club for the many gestures of kindness and concern for Matt over the past 19 months. He enjoyed serving you through the years, and your cards and gifts during his illness meant a great deal to him.

Thank you to Lansing Sparrow Hospital, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center, and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit for giving Matt an additional 19 months with us. That time was a precious gift.

The family would also like to acknowledge the excellent care provided by Medical Social Worker, Mary Cavanaugh, and Registered Nurse, Bill Swarthout, of Sparrow Hospice Services of Lansing. Thank you for all you did to help Matt and our family. You were both a ray of light, and your visits gave Matt something to look forward to every week.

Thank you to Father Bernie, of the St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, for visiting Matt and administering the Sacrament of the Sick. Your visit meant more than you will ever know.

Finally, the family extends its heartfelt appreciation to Olive Reed for her unwavering friendship with Matt. Your back porch visits with Matt and the final outings to the casino brought Matt so much joy.

The family will announce memorial gathering to be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Matt’s memory to:

DeWitt Breakfast Lions Club

P.O. Box 212

DeWitt, MI 48820

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grdewitt.com for the Purves family.