“At an inquest held in probate court Friday, Myrtle Purtee, 23 years old, daughter of Mr and Mrs1 George Purtee, 316 Third street, was adjudged insane by Judge Gilliland and she was ordered committed to the Athens state hospital. The examination was conducted by Drs. WE Gault and Ira N Martin.” 2
Five short years later her father, George W Purtee, a shoe worker at the Selby Shoe Company, was killed in a tragic automobile accident.
While still a resident of the Athens State Hospital, Myrtle’s mother, Rosa Adaline “Addie” (or Ada as noted on the 1920 Census) Wilson Purtee died on November 25, 1958. Her obituary from the the November 26, 1958 Portsmouth Daily Times reads as follows:
“Mrs. Rosa Adeline (Addie) Purtee, 80, of 505 Front St., died at 5:50 p.m. Tuesday at the Jones Nursing Home, front and Court Sts., after suffering a heart attack.”
“Ill some time with a heart condition, Mrs. Purtee had been a patient at the nursing home the last month.”
“A native and lifelong resident of Scioto County, she was born Jan. 18, 1878, a daughter of James and Catherine Ann Miller. She was married to George Purtee, who preceded her in death Dec. 5, 1926.”
“Surviving are a son, Delmar of Athens, Ohio; two daughters, Chloe Hanson, with whom she had resided at 505 Front St., and Mrs. Mildred Stepp, 502 Sixth St., and 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, two daughters and four brothers.”
“Mrs. Purtee attended Nauvoo Evangelical United Brethren Church.”
“Funeral services are to be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Windel-Howland Funeral Home with Rev. C.R. Butterbaugh officiating.”
“Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 tonight.”
