GOSHEN -- Onnie Puro, 86, of 1308 S. 16th St., died at 8:50 p.m. Wednesday (Dec. 2, 2009) in Greencroft Healthcare.

He was born Nov. 14, 1923, in Owen, Wis., to Henry and Hannah (Marin) Puro. On April 4, 1948, he married Shirley Ridenour in Goshen. She died Oct. 31, 2004. He married Beatrice "Bea" (King) Bischof in New Paris on Nov. 5, 2005.

She survives with three sons, Mike (Laurie) Puro and David Puro, both of Goshen, and Timothy (Victoria) Puro of Bloomington; one stepson, Robert Bischof Jr. of Goshen; one stepdaughter, Barbara (Ron) Pease of Seneca, S.C.; three grandchildren; two sisters, Gertrude Brien of Hartford, Wis., and Miriam Luoma of Oshkosh, Wis.; and one brother, Pell Puro of Waukegon, Ill.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Katherine Puro and Helen Watson, and three brothers, Toivo, Arvo and Pentha Puro.

Mr. Puro was a public accountant for 23 years and fiscal director of the Elkhart County Highway Department. He was a member of First Brethren Church, New Paris, where he was treasurer for many years. He served in the U.S. Army from November 1943 to January 1946 with the 88th Blue Devil Infantry Division as first scout in Europe. He was held in Italy as a prisoner of war for one month. He attended Wisconsin State Teachers College and LaSalle Extension University.

Mr. Puro was a life member and former treasurer of VFW Post 985, Bristol American Legion Post 143 and Michiana Chapter of ex-POWs. He loved playing cribbage and ran the weekly card night at the VFW.

Friends may call from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to Monday's 1 p.m. funeral service, all at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, 1911 S. Main St., Goshen. The Rev. Ted Schowengerdt of First Brethren Church will officiate. Burial will be in Violett Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to VFW Post 985, Goshen. Visit yoderculpfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.