Onnie Puro

Onnie Puro, 86, died Wednesday evening, December 2, 2009, at Greencroft Healthcare, Goshen, where he had been ill for the past six months.  He was born to the late Henry and Hannah (Marin) Puro on November 14, 1923, in Owen, Wisconsin.  He married Shirley Ridenour on April 4, 1948, in Goshen.  She preceded him in death on October 31, 2004.  He then married Beatrice “Bea” (King) Bischoff on November 5, 2005, in New Paris.  She survives.  Mr. Puro worked as a public accountant for 23 years and as a fiscal director of the Elkhart County Highway Department.  He was a member of the First Brethren Church of New Paris, serving as the treasurer of the church for many years.  He served in the U.S. Army from November 1943 to January 1946, he was a part of the 88th “Blue Devil” Infantry Division as First Scout in Europe during World War II; he was held as a prisoner in Italy for one month.  He was a life member and former treasurer of the VFW Post #985; he was also a member of the Bristol American Legion Post #143, and a member of the Michiana Chapter of the exPOW’s.  He attended Wisconsin State Teacher’s College, White Water, Wisconsin and the LaSalle Extension University, Chicago.  He is survived by three sons, Mike (Laurie) Puro, David Puro, both of Goshen, Timothy (Victoria) Puro, Bloomington, Indiana; one step-son, Robert Bischoff Jr., Goshen; one step-daughter, Barbara (Ron) Pease, Seneca, South Carolina; two sisters, Gertrude Brien, Hartford, Wisconsin, Mirian Luoma, Oshkosh, Wisconsin; one brother, Pell Puro, Waukegon, Illinois; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Katherine Puro, Helen Watson; and three brothers, Toivo, Arvo, and Pentha Puro.  Friends may call from 1-4 p.m., Sunday, December 6, and from 12-1 p.m., Monday, December 7, 2009, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  A 1 p.m., Monday, December 7, funeral service will be conducted at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ted Schowengerdt, of First Brethren Church, New Paris, officiating.  Burial will be in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.  Memorials may be made out to the VFW Post #985, Goshen.