Grady H Purtle died Nov 3, 2002, at San Jacinto Methodist Hospital in Baytown TX. He was 69. A former Arkansas state trooper, tank truck driver, and terminal manager, Purtle was employed by DSI Transports Inc from 1977 to 1996 as vice-president — safety, personnel, and insurance. He was formerly National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) national chairman, NTTC Safety Director of the Year, and served in many safety associations throughout the United States. Purtle was buried in El Dorado AR beside his wife of 48 years, Peggy, who preceded him in death. He is survived by a daughter, Lori Lloyd, and a son, Timothy Purtle, both of Baytown.
Alfred L Luther, founder of Tank Cleaning Consultants Inc in Clarksville IN, died Nov 11, 2002, at his home after an illness. He was 76. A native of Plain WI, Luther was an United States Army veteran of World War II and a member of the Bonnie Sloan Post 28 American Legion in New Albany IN. He was a member and past Grant Knight of the John F Kennedy Council 1348, Knights of Columbus in Jeffersonville where he also was a member of the Fourth Degree. Luther was a member of St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Clarksville. Funeral services were November 15 at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, with entombment at Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park in New Albany. The family asks that expression of sympathy take the form of contributions to Hospice of Southern Indiana or Noah's Ark Children's Village.