David Keith "Hollywood" Purcell died Saturday morning, October 30, 2010 at a Madison healthcare facility. Even though his death came unexpectedly, he had been struggling through a long series of severe health problems. He never gave up and hoped, to the end, to return to Sauk county where he was born and lived his entire life. The Dane County Department of Human Services never approved the move. David was born in Baraboo on August 6, 1948. He was the son of Edwin C. and Gladys (Martin) Purcell. He was preceded in death by his father; Uncles Dean Purcell, Fred Johnson and Edgar Martin; and Aunt Cenyth Johnson, also of Merrimac.

Survivors include his son, Christopher; daughter, Angela; his mother; his brother, Daniel (Jean) Purcell; his sister, LaVonne (James) Lytle; and many beloved nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and loyal cousins. David was cared for and supported by his partner of over twenty-five years, Theresa Hennings and could not have continued without her love. David also greatly valued the support and friendship of his "second son", Matt Boda and Michael Richards, co-worker and friend. He was also very appreciative of the good deeds done for him by the Roger Spear families past and present.


After graduating from Sauk Prairie High School, he served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1970. Those were intense years of the Vietnam War, but he was among the lucky few stationed in Germany where he served with distinction in the 1st Armored Division, was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and attained the grade of E-5. Upon returning home, he worked on the family farm and continued his education, completing an Associate degree at the UW Extension, Baraboo. David respected hard work, and was dedicated to his Oven Journeyman position at Seneca Foods, Baraboo, where he worked for 29 years, until he became disabled. He loved his family, the land, good music, and things mechanical. Until the end, he remembered fondly the family and friends who celebrated his 59th birthday and all the good times on his hilltop. They will remember he always made a party a little bit better.


There was a private gathering of family and friends at Hooverson Funeral Home, Sauk City. Burial, with military honors, was in the Kingston Cemetery, Merrimac.