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Lois Esse Kohler, 94, the surviving spouse of the late Rev. Royden Kohler, died Feb. 12 in Albert Lea, Minn. A funeral service was held at the Albert Lea United Methodist Church Feb. 16.

She and Roy Kohler were married in 1946 while he was serving in the Navy. He returned to barbering after the war, but felt a call to the ministry and entered seminary in 1951.

He began serving churches, with his wife as a loyal supporter, from 1952 to 1964, he served Pasadena and Margate Methodist churches. In 1964, he was appointed to Colesville UMC and remained until 1972, when he became superintendent of the Baltimore Southwest District. He died suddenly in 1974, while they were on a vacation in Greece.

Lois Kohler attended college in Iowa in the early 1930s and worked as a librarian in her hometown, Albert Lea.

She served from 1975 to 1980 with the Women's Division of the Board of Global Ministries, and during that time learned to drive a car.

In 1980, she volunteered to go to Africa as a missionary, and was stationed at Jos, Nigeria, until 1984, when she was expected to return to the United States. Instead, at the age of 70, she accepted an assignment as an assistant to the treasurer in Liberia. Three years later, she returned to her hometown to be near a sister.

She is survived by two sisters-in-law, six nieces and five nephews. She is also survived by Peggy Saah of Raleigh, N.C., a foster daughter whom she raised from 1961 to 1967.

Condolences may be sent to nephew, Michael Oiseth, 10119 Boone Circle, Minneapolis, MN 55438.

Helen Jones Purnell, 86, wife of the late Rev. Raymond Purnell, died April 6, after a short illness, in Berlin, Md. The Rev. Thomas McKelvey officiated at her funeral April 11 at Community Church of Ocean Pines, where her husband's funeral was held in 2005.

Helen Jones Harman and Ray Purnell were married in 1974, after both were widowed. She was a member of Millian Memorial UMC, where he was pastor, and served until 1978, when he was appointed superintendent of the Baltimore North District. He retired from active ministry in 1984.

The Purnells moved to Montgomery Village in Gaithersburg, and he immediately became assistant pastor of Covenant UMC in Montgomery Village, which he served for nine years. They moved to Ocean Pines in 1995. He died there, after a four-year illness, in 2005.

Helen Purnell was a homemaker all her life. She was an avid bridge player and loved to read.

Survivors include her son from her first marriage, Gary G. Harman of Gaithersburg, a step-daughter, Sarah McGuinness of Atlanta, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Condolences may be sent to Gary Harman, 6620 Belle Chase Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20882.