Clair R. Purcey, age 77 of Fremont , passed away Sunday, March 30, 2003 at the Bradywyne Nursing Home in Winter Haven , Florida following a year long illness. Clair was born on April 25, 1925 in Fremont to Earl and Edith ( Jennings ) Purcey and married Verna Caldwell on April 22, 1948 in Cedar Springs. He has been a longtime resident of the Fremont area. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fremont where he was active in many aspects of the church throughout his lifetime. Clair was a lifelong student of the Bible. He studied and was ordained a Baptist Minster serving at the Wahjameg County Church in Caro , Michigan , the Bridgeton Baptist Church and also assisted with the ministry at the First Baptist Church in Fremont . He retired from Crandell Funeral Homes in Fremont and White Cloud and Crandell Furniture Stores in Fremont after many years of service. He enjoyed fishing and camping and golfing after his retirement. Clair also served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Clair is survived by his wife of 55 years, Verna Purcey of Fremont; his children, Gordon (Jan) Purcey of Dallas, Texas; Mark (Bonnie) Purcey of Sand Lake; Karen (David) DeKuiper of Hingham, Wisconsin; 7 grandchildren, Kim (Jason) Herring; Sarah Purcey; David Purcey; Scott Purcey; Kristin (Scott) Miller; Karla (Joe) Alexander; Kerry Dekuiper; 3 great grandchildren, Cameron Herring; Luke Purcey; Braeden Miller; foster daughter, Haila (Robert) Vriesman of Grand Rapids; his sisters, Dorothy (Jim) Gardenour of Fremont; Betty Gardei of Fremont; brother-in-law, Maurice (Jane) Murray of Cedar Springs. He was preceded in death by a sister, Leola Murray. Funeral services were held on Friday, April 4, 2003 from the First Baptist Church in Fremont with Rev. Ken Pierpont presiding with interment in the Sherman Township Cemetery . Friends are asked to consider the Child Evangelism Fellowship at First Baptist Church for memorial contributions. Envelopes and arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home Fremont Chapel. www.crandellfh.com