Sonia Purves, resident of the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016. She was 97 years of age. Sonia was born November 3, 1918 to Panko and Pearl Melnychuk (nee Warwaruk). She received her education at Winnipegosis, MB where she resided in town. She worked as a young woman in the Thunder Bay area. She then returned to Saltcoats, SK to find work. There she met William Purves, the couple were married November 9, 1940 in Saltcoats. In 1956 they moved to Yorkton and rented out their land for a couple of years and eventually sold it. For the next 11 years Sonia worked at Bobby's Pancake House. In 1969 the couple leased a café in Broadview and operated it for three years before returning to their home in Yorkton to retire and had since resided. On March 25, 1985, Bill passed away. Sonia continued to maintain their home on Rae Avenue until November of 2000 when she moved to Fietz St. in Yorkton. Sonia moved to the Gladstone Senior's Residence in 2008 and then eventually to the Esterhazy Nursing Home and then to the Yorkton and District Nursing Home where she lived until she passed away on October 6, 2016. During her retirement, Sonia almost daily enjoyed visiting and having coffee at Georgio's with her family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, crocheting and knitting. It was in the spring of 1974 that Bill and Sonia made a choice to serve God. This choice brought change to their lives and they were faithful in that choice. Sonia would often be seen walking on their road with a very upright and purposeful walk, this is also the way she walked in God's way, earning the respect and love of family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Bill, her parents Panko and Pearl Melnychuk, four sisters: Mary Nabozniak, Leona Antoniak, Anne Pacarenuk and Pat Cooper. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well as relatives and friends. The funeral service was held on Thursday, October 13, 2016 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Jim Atcheson, Mary Roper & Thelma Galbraith officiating. Pianist, Jodi Cobb led the congregation in the hymns 'More Love To Thee', 'It Pays To Serve Jesus' and 'I Am Trusting Thee Lord Jesus'. Attending the guest register were Sara Mickle and Tina Nabozniak-Wog. The interment took place in the Garden of St. Mark with Bruce White, Dale Purves, Orion Purves, Tyrone Morrison, Marvin Nabozniak and Ron Hermanson serving as the casket bearers. Condolences can be left at . Memorials were to one's charity of choice.
