Joseph M. Purcell, age 88, of Washington passed away at 5:25 a.m. Monday at Washington Nursing Center. He was born April 26, 1922 in Washington to William and Lula ( Horrall ) Purcell. He was a Marine Corps Veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a lifetime bartender having worked at the VFW, Angle Inn and the Cheerio, He was a life member of the Washington American Legion and VFW, and was also a member of the Eagles. He was a passed District commander for the VFW from 1960 to 1961and served as Local Quarter Master for Washington VFW for 25 years. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Gayle and Gary Leonard of Crawfordsville, and Beth and Dan Stalker of Streator, Illinois; one brother, Oscar Purcell of Washington; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two special nieces, Joyce Bullington and Carolyn Wallace both of Washington. His wife, Minnie B.( Schluessler) Purcell, whom he married May 2, 1948, passed away in 2005. He was also preceded in death by one sister Cynthia Simmons; and two brothers, Daniel Purcell and Leroy Purcell. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ed Lee Mortuary with Pastor George Qualley. Burial will follow in Sugarland Memory Gardens with military graveside rites by the Washington American Legion and VFW Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. till the hour of services Wednesday at Ed Lee Mortuary. Memorial donations can be given to the American Diabetes Association, 2207 East Morgan Avenue, Suite H, Evansville, Indiana 47711 or to the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, 911 East 86th Street Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240 Condolences may be sent online at www.edleemortuary.com.