Karen R. Purnell 1946-2025
YOUNGSTOWN — Karen Roberta Purnell, 78, passed away peacefully, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at Hospice of the Valley.
She was born on Aug. 26, 1946, in Youngstown, to the late Robert Joseph and Lelia Mae Knight Bickerstaff.
She was a 1964 graduate of Austintown Fitch and started her waitressing career at her family-owned business, Knights Restaurant in Canfield, and went on to retire from Antones.
Karen married her husband, Thomas Purnell, on Aug. 10, 1964, with whom she would spend 60 years, creating a lifetime of memories.
She loved many things such as vacationing in the Outer Banks and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, but her number one joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Karen’s beautiful memory will be carried on through her husband; her son, Robert (Jocelyn) Purnell; her sister, Ruthann Connelly; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Sterling, Emily (David) Purnell and Tyler (Jennifer) Purnell; and her great-grandchildren; Peyton, Auri, Sawyer and Crue.
Karen is preceded in death by her sister Susan Carr and her parents.
Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at Lane Funeral Home-Austintown with a service to follow at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at Lane Funeral Home-Austintown.
(special notice)