Sean Michael Purcell, 26, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, as the result of a motor vehicle accident near Ferndale. He was the adored and loving son, born in Kalispell, on Jan. 15, 1982, to Dan and Pam (Morton) Purcell.

Sean attended Bigfork Elementary and Bigfork High School, graduating in 2000. He went on to attend Carroll College, Flathead Valley Community College and the University of Montana in Missoula.

At the time of Sean's death, he was employed as a builder for Calaway Construction Inc., of Bigfork. He was a hard worker and thoroughly enjoyed his trade.

Sean participated in football, basketball, golf and baseball through his school years. He was selected to the Montana High School All Star-Football Team that traveled to Australia and participated in the "Down Under Bowl" in 2000. That same year, he attended Carroll College on a football scholarship and played one year for the Saints. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, rafting, hunting and camping with his life-long buddies.

Sean was kind, gentle and had a heart of gold. He was always willing to help others. He had a wonderful smile that lit up everyone. He will be sorely missed.

"Thanks for the wonderful memories, Sean-man."

Sean was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Paul and Mattie Morton; grandparents, Francis and Frances Purcell; uncles, Gary Morton and Mike Purcell; and aunt, Maureen Purcell.

He is survived by his parents, Dan and Pam Purcell, of Bigfork; one sister, Amy Campbell, and husband, Seth, and nephew, Grady Campbell, all of Liberty Lake, Wash.; maternal grandparents, Dee and LaVera Morton, of Bigfork; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Sean will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, at the Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church on Highway 35, north of Bigfork, with Pastor Jim Holman officiating. There will be no visitation.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Bigfork Ambulance/QRU, P.O. Box 2020, Bigfork, MT 59911; or the Ferndale Rural Fire District, 100 Ferndale Drive, Bigfork, MT 59911.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Sean's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Sean's guest book.