Lars Alan Purdue, age 68, of Washington, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 13, 2014, at St. Mary''s Hospital in Evansville. He was born on July 29, 1945 in Washington to Nicholas Purdue and Mary Alice (Riester) Purdue. He was a proud 1963 graduate of Washington Catholic High School and retired in 2000 from the Washington Times-Herald as publisher after 32 years of service. Lars was a life-long member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church. He was a past member of the board of directors of St. Mary''s Credit Union, past president of the Washington Catholic Athletic Booster Club, coach and director of the Washington Little League, YMCA youth basketball coach, and scout leader of the Boys Scouts of America. He is survived by his wife, Connie (Fowler) Purdue, whom he married on December 26, 1964; three sons and daughters in-law, Jeff and Julie Purdue of Evansville, Aaron and Erin Purdue of Newburgh, and Nick and Sarah of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren Emily, John, Elizabeth and Jake Purdue, Maddie, Annie and Sara Purdue, Nathan and Michael Purdue; and one brother and sister-in-law, Don and Joanna Purdue of Bargersville, Indiana. His greatest pleasure in life was spending time with his grandchildren and watching his St. Louis Cardinals. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas Purdue and Mary Alice Klemaszewski. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus will pray the rosary at 7:30 pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church with Father James Koressel as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Lars'' name to the Washington Little League, P.O. Box 261, Washington, IN 47501 or the Washington Catholic Education Endowment, P.O. Box 916, Washington 47501.