Josephine Purevich attended 24 1st birthdays for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She saw the first person walk on the moon, watched as the Berlin wall came down, and grew up during The Great Depression. She loved crocheting, playing Candyland with her great grandson, and chatting with the ladies at the senior center on Wednesday afternoons. Josephine was born on July 27, 1929 and was raised in Gary, IN, in the Tolleston and Glen Park area until 1976 when she moved to Hebron.
As a site manager at the Hebron Senior Center, part of the Porter County Council on Aging and Community Services staff, she helped those in need of community resources. She worked there for 27 years and served as director for nearly 10 years. Josephine worked until the ripe age of 87, and helped coordinate countless speakers, health awareness events, activities, Meals on Wheels lunches, and annual Christmas parties. She enjoyed time with “her seniors,” which made the family chuckle a bit since she was a senior citizen herself. Following retirement, the Town of Hebron recognized her service to the community by appointing her Grand Marshall of the 4th of July Parade.
On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, she passed very peacefully in the presence of family. She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Alexander Purevich, Jr; brothers: Paul (Rose), Salvador (Mary); sister: Dominica “Mae” (Robert); daughter Jeanette (Fred) Siminski.
Josephine leaves a legacy with her daughter: Carol (Bruce) Baisden; sons: Joseph (Kathy) Purevich, Alexander III (Katalin) Purevich; 11 grandchildren: Christopher (Nicole), Mark (Sandra), Jennifer (Sean), Jonathan (Jessica), Stephanie (James), Stacey (Robert), Jessica (Joseph), Brandon (Paula), Joseph (Alexandra), Alex IV, and Ashley; nine great-grandchildren: Macey, Addisyn, Corbin, Olivia, Rory, Bryce, Declan, Elise, and Grayson; three step great-grandchildren: Robert, Jacob, and Timmy.
She was an avid crafter who enjoyed crocheting quilts, clothes, and towels. She looked forward to fishing trips every summer in Wisconsin with her late husband and enjoyed trips to Louisiana and Missouri with her children and grandchildren.
Her absence will be felt by her family, friends, and the community that she called home.
Family and friends may gather at Pruzin Brothers Funeral Service (6360 Broadway, Merrillville, IN) on Sunday, June 9, 2019 from 2-6 p.m., with a prayer service at 2 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, June 10, 2019 DIRECTLY from St. Helen Catholic Church (302 N. Madison St., Hebron, IN) at 10 a.m., with Rev. Frank Torres officiating. Visitation will be at the church ½ hour prior to Mass. She will be laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery.