Mr. Melvin Lee Purchase, 91, of Galesburg, Illinois, formerly of Alliance, Nebraska, passed away at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born September 28, 1934, in Ipava, Illinois, to Charles Lester and Mable Lucy (Courtney) Purchase. He married Marlene F. Hornbaker on May 17, 1957, in Avon, Illinois. She preceded him in death on June 13, 2013, after 56 years of marriage.
Melvin is survived by his daughter, Rebecca “Becky” F. (and Mark) Hannam of Galesburg; a sister, Mary Larson of Geneseo, Illinois; two sisters-in-law, Gloria Hornbaker of Prairie City, Illinois, and Kate Havens of Prairie City; six grandchildren, Sara Zaro and Logan, Bobbie (and Chris) Amburgey, Ben (and Ashley) Hannam, Jake Hannam, Olivia Vogel, and Anna Vogel and Clint; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Terry Lee Purchase; a daughter, Diana “Diny” Purchase Vogel; two brothers, Raymond Purchase and Donald Purchase; and a sister, Maralyn “Joan” Singleton.
Melvin attended schools in Avon, Illinois. He proudly served his country in the United States Army for three years, with service in Korea and Japan. As a young man, he worked on farms and later became a small engine mechanic. He moved to Alliance, Nebraska, where he worked as a carman for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. In his later years, he was employed in maintenance at Highland Park Nursing Home in Alliance.
He enjoyed woodworking, restoring cars, especially Volkswagen Beetles, and snowmobiling. Melvin loved riding motorcycles, particularly through the Black Hills of South Dakota and the Sandhills of Nebraska. He also cherished traveling, camping, and sightseeing with his family across the country. He enjoyed visiting with people his whole life and meeting new people while camping or riding his motorcycles, especially in his later years. Following the loss of his daughter, he lovingly helped raise his three grandchildren in Alliance, Nebraska. In 2017 he moved back to Galesburg to be near his daughter, Becky. Until recently, he continued to ride his Gold Wing motorcycle. His life was a journey and he enjoyed the ride.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg Chapel. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the chapel, with Rev. Bob Clark officiating. Burial will take place at 3:45 p.m. at Prairie City Cemetery in Prairie City, Illinois with military rites by the Abingdon American Legion.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be shared at www.h-p-w.com.
