Gerald W. Purkey, age 86, of Hammond, IN passed away Friday, June 26, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Urszula; 2 step-daughters, Lydia (Darrell) Martin of Bradenton, FL and Lanna (Joseph) Melko of Crete, IL; 5 grandchildren, Tina Gardner of Tampa, FL, Joseph Gardner of Memphis, TN and Aaron, Joshua and Alison Melko of Crete, IL; 2 sisters, Melva (Ray) Carlson of Hammond, IN and Joan Summers of Lockport, IL; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 29, 2009 at 10 AM from LaHayne Funeral Home, 6955 Southeastern Ave., with Rev. Steve Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Concordia Cemetery, Hammond, IN. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Sunday from 2-6 PM at the funeral home. Gerald was a lifetime resident of this area, a veteran of WW 2, and a retired Tool and Dye Maker from Hammond Valve. For information, call LaHayne Funeral Home at 219-845-3600