Russell Lynn Purtle

Russell Lynn Purtle, 66, of The Villages, Florida died August 31, 2015 at Leesburg, Florida. He was born January 5, 1949 in Texarkana, Texas. Russell is survived by his loving wife, Jo Ann Rogers Purtle; son, Tim Purtle of Avondale, Arizona and daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany and Jared Hauser of Birmingham, Alabama; grandsons, Owen and Luke Hauser of Birmingham, Alabama;  brother, Don Purtle and sister-in-law, Anne of Hot Springs Arkansas; two nephews,  Steven and David Purtle of Arkansas and his aunt, Bonnie Sanders of Dallas, TX. He is also survived by brother-in law and wife Allen and Martha Rogers of Water Valley, MS; sisters-in-law and husbands, Lynn and Ben Oberholtzer of Germantown, TN, Bill and Carol Latimer of Union City, TN; niece and husband Amanda and Gerald Glickman and great nephew, Bruce Glickman of Richmond, VA. He is predeceased by his parents, Lindel and Sarah Purtle of Texarkana, Texas. Russell was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. After retiring from International Paper as a controller, he had devoted himself to writing and recording Christian music.  He was a man who lived his strong Christian faith and is walking with the Lord. Honorary Pallbearers:  Greg Muller, Doug Morin, Bob Jordan, Jack Bambury, Tom Benefield, Art Michaels, and Marty Edelman. Visitation on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. followed by services at 2 p.m., Beyers Funeral Home, Lady Lake Chapel, The Villages, FL.  Burial will be at Elbridge Cemetery, Elbridge, TN on Saturday, Sept. 5. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 237 E. Marks St., Orlando, FL  32803.