Auction earned more than $3,700 for Purvis family

COLUMBIA — An auction organized by friends of a Columbia family near financial ruin because of health problems raised more than $3,700, enough to pay for the burial of one family member and start a trust fund for his two sons.

Memorial Funeral Home later waived its fee to bury Cory Purvis, 37, who died Feb. 17.

Shela Storzer, a representative of the Purvis family and their friends, said they were grateful to auctioneer Pete Kemper of Hurry Sundown band, which played at the benefit, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the more than 75 businesses, organizations and people that contributed to the fundraising effort.

Among the businesses are: Ambrosia Flowers, Cartridge World, Lifestyles Furniture, Lakewood Lawn & Garden, Columbia Computer Center, Chuck E. Cheese, Massage Envy, Missouri Fire Safety Division, Frame It Right, Kea International Market, Four Paws Grooming Inc., Deja Vu, Papa Murphy's, McAlister’s Deli, Studio 311 A Hair Salon, The Answer Salon & Day Spa, 9th Street Deli, Jacobs & Kemper Auction Realty, Hollywood Video, Mr Tuxedo & Bridal, Napa Auto Parts, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Powder Horn Guns and Archery, Firestone, Farm Power Lawn & Leisure of Columbia, Les Bourgeois Bistro, Gaines Car Detail, Walt's Bicycle, Roly Poly Sandwiches, The Tan Co., Aesthetic Studio by Nailsonly, AMF Bowling, Derick Garner of Grandmaster Han's Martial Arts, N.H. Scheppers Distributing Co., American Auto Supply, Lifetouch National School Studios, Hooters, Orscheln Farm & Home, Kim Eivins, Kent's Floral Gallery, Candy Factory, Alpine Shop, Mad Doctor Tattoo, Staples, IHOP, CD Tradepost, Kobe Japanese Steak House, BlackBerry Exchange, Midwest Audio Vision, Sound Performance, Olive Garden, Slackers CD's & Games, The Villager on Broadway, CenturyTel, Going Bonkers, Songbird Station, D Sport, Embroid Me, Truman's Bar & Grill, Mudd Puppies, Culver's, Edible Arrangements, Gerbes, MFA Oil Co., I.O. Metro, Legacy Construction Group, Switch KMFC/92.1 FM, Pendulum Bob's Clock Shop, Charles Peel, The Blue Note, Perche Creek Golf Club, Columbia Parks and Recreation Department and MU athletics department.