Dale Robert Purnell

Dale Robert Purnell, 76, passed away peacefully at the Green Knoll Care Facility on March 31, 2023. Dale was born in Wylam, England on July 5, 1946 to Lyle S Purnell of Champaign, Illinois and Olive (Barker) Purnell of Wylam, England. Dale was always proud of his British heritage and his dual citizenship. One of his fondest memories was visiting the United Kingdom, our mother’s country, seeing where she grew up and meeting his British family. He proudly served in the US Navy and was a Vietnam veteran. After the Navy, he moved back to the family home on Long Island where he studied computer science at SUNY Stonybrook, receiving both Bachelors and Masters degrees. He worked at AT&T Bell Labs for 20 years as a repair service application software engineer, retiring in July, 2000, becoming part of the huge ex-Bell System retiree network. He retained many friends from his days at Bell Labs, several of whom helped him through his cancer battle. Dale was devoted to his family, helping Ellen and Cliff build a log home in NJ, participating in family weddings, helping with family moves, attending Shepherd/Purnell Reunions in Illinois every two years and taking care of his parents in Virginia as they aged. In his younger years he was an avid bowler and a huge New York Yankees fan. He was pleased to get to know his daughter, husband and grandchildren late in his life meeting up with their family at the Shepherd/Purnell Family Reunion in Illinois, and afterward making a trip to New Mexico to get to know them better.

He is survived by his two sisters, Ellen Martin and husband, Clifford, and Marilyn Messinger, one brother, Michael Purnell and wife Laura, daughter, Tracey McInnes and husband, Cully, 2 granddaughters, Tennie McInnes and Robyn McInnes, one grandson, Sammy McInnes. four nephews, Andrew Martin and wife, Jennifer, Michael Martin and wife Holly, Robert Purnell and wife Kendra, Daniel Purnell and wife Judith, 7 nieces, Carie Martin and husband Edward Marshall, Carolyn Chang and husband Levi, Lynne Preston and husband Scott, Jill Messinger, Pamela Adams and husband Raymond, and Katherine Odenbrett and husband, Austin, four great nephews, Christopher Martin, Elliott Purnell, Isaac Purnell and Raymond Adams, 3 great nieces, Emily Martin, Sophie Adams and Nora Adams.

He was predeceased by his father, Lyle Purnell and his mother, Olive Purnell.

A celebration of Dale’s life will be held in Illinois at a future date, information on that will be shared as it becomes available. Cremated will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Disabled American Veterans in Dale’s name.