Darlene N. Deming Purtle, 69, of Festus died March 27, 2017, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Purtle, a 1965 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School, was a respiratory therapist and LPN at several area nursing homes and hospitals. She was a member of Festus United Methodist Church. Born Aug. 2, 1947, in Aurora, she was the daughter of the late Donald Clay Sr. and Lucile Elsie (Wyker) Deming. She was preceded in death by two husbands: Charles Tantham and George Purtle.
She is survived by her companion: Jack Christopher of Festus; two stepdaughters: Kara Christopher of St. Louis and Corinne Purtle of Festus; a brother-in-law: Al Cummins of Republic; and a sister-in-law: Donna Deming of Varico, Fla.
She was also preceded in death by a sister: Harriet Cummins; and a brother: Don Deming Jr.
Graveside services will be held at a later date at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mount Vernon. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto.