Christopher Charles Purucker

Christopher Charles Purucker, 75, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away on March 4, 2024 at the MediLodge of Marshall, MI. He was born on July 3, 1948 in Tecumseh, MI to Leo & Dorothy (Easton) Purucker. On May 3, 1970 he married Arlene Schonschack. 

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1967 and was a dog handler in the Security Forces. He helped with the Fall of Saigon in Vietnam by helping to evacuate civilians. Eventually he became a superintendent of the military working dog handler technical training facility at Lackland AFB, TX and from there he became a First Sergeant at Holloman AFB, NM before his retirement after 20 years in 1987. He then worked alongside his father, Leo, at Leo the Lion Appliance in Battle Creek and then he worked for the Barry County Sheriff Posse riding horses.   

He loved spending time with family especially his grandchildren, his dogs, riding his horse, learning to lasso, and doing anything outdoors especially sitting on the porch swing next to Arlene. 

He is survived by his wife, Arlene of Battle Creek; children, Christine (Darin) Sheren of Derby, KS, Jennifer (David) Buckner of Battle Ground, WA, Chris (Michelle) Purucker of Battle Creek, Jon (Jessica) Purucker of Dorr; sisters, Charmaine (Tom) Henke of Hastings, Kim (Rick) Granaas of West Seneca, NY; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

His parents preceded him in death. 

Visitation will be held Friday, March 8 from 5pm – 8pm at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. 

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 9 at 10:00 am at Kempf Family Funeral & Cremation services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, MI 49068 with Pastor Dale Schonschack officiating. The burial will take place in Oakridge Cemetery, Marshall with full military honors at the cemetery.  

Chris had a fond love of military working dogs and animal horse rescue. In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Warrior Dog Foundation (warriordogfoundation.org) and/or the Van Andel Institute for Dementia (https://support.vai.org/give/450459/#!/donation/checkout).