A Family Memorial Mass for LeRoy Purviance Jr., age 88, of Lynch, Nebraska will be held at a later date at the Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Lynch.  LeRoy passed away on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society in Atkinson, Nebraska. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer.

LeRoy Purviance Jr. was born the oldest of four children on August 1, 1938 in Lynch, Nebraska to LeRoy and Lydia (Halva) Purviance.  He grew up southeast of Lynch and attended country school until the fourth grade.  LeRoy then attended school at Lynch High School.  He graduated with the class of 1956.

After high school and completion of the normal training program, LeRoy taught at the Monowi School for one year.  Then LeRoy enlisted into the United States Air Force where he was schooled in electronics and then taught the gunner system for the B-52 aircraft.  He earned the rank of Airman First Class.  While in the military, LeRoy married Kathryn Mulhair on October 25, 1957 at the Catholic Church in Lynch.  They made their home in Denver and to this union six children were born.  After LeRoy was Honorably Discharged, he worked for Martin-Marietta Company in Denver and attended University of Colorado for a short time.  In July of 1967 LeRoy and Kathryn moved back to Lynch where he purchased the former Mulhair Garage which became Ponca Valley Oil Company.  LeRoy never really retired but slowed down quite a bit.

LeRoy was a member of the ABVM Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Lynch American Legion. He was also a very active member of the Lynch Community Club.

LeRoy learned to fly in the Air Force and he always enjoyed flying his airplane.  He loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

LeRoy is survived by his wife of 69 years Kathryn Purviance of Lynch, NE; his children, Brad (Delia) Purviance of Lynch, NE, Bruce (Angela) Purviance of Kamiah, ID, Brenda (Barry) DeKay of Verdel, NE, Brent Purviance of Dakota Dunes, SD, Brocke (Jessica) Purviance of Lynch, NE; 15 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brother, Leslie (Janis) Purviance of Lynch, NE; sister, Reta (Tom) Moser of Hartington, NE; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Brian Purviance in 2023; daughter-in-law, Kimberly (Brion) Purviance in 2013; sister, Dorothy (Ivan) Thomson in 2020.