Elton A. Orpurt
August 13th, 1930 - June 5th, 2025
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Elton's Obituary
Elton A. Orpurt, Jr., 94, of Niles, went home to our Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at home with his family by his side.
Born on August 13, 1930, to Elton Sr. and Louie Verne (Jefferson) Orpurt in Peru, IN, and raised in Michigan.
He was a graduate of Buchanan High School and attended Michigan State University. Elton “Big Al” served in the Korean war as a gunner for the United States Army. He was involved in many of the major battles of the war.
On September 14, 1957, he married the love of his life, Imogene L. Renbarger, and together they built a life filled with dedication, service, and faith.
Elton continued the family business, Orpurt’s, Inc. in Buchanan, MI, which specialized in plumbing, heating, sheet metal and electrical service work. His commitment to quality work and community service was a hallmark of his career.
A tireless volunteer and civic leader, Elton held numerous roles in the U.S. Jaycees, earning the distinguished title of “Exhausted Rooster” and serving at both the local and state levels. In Buchanan, he devoted 28 years to the Miss Buchanan organization and served on the Buchanan Old Fashion Labor Day Committee.
In 1986, Elton and Imogene relocated to Tennessee, where he embraced new opportunities with the same passion. He served as Development Supervisor for the 280-acre Mariner Point subdivision near Clinton, TN. He was a founding member of the Charter committee and board for the Great Smoky Mountain Emmaus Community.
While in Tennessee, Elton was a member of the Kern Memorial United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, TN, where he served on the board of trustees. He was active with Kairos, serving on multiple teams, area councils, the East Tennessee Charter Committee, and as Tennessee State Secretary.
Elton, Big Al, deeply committed to his faith, was ordained and licensed clergy in the Assemblies of God Church and devoted over 20 years to prison-based ministries across 12 correctional facilities in four states.
Elton officially retired in August 2020 from Kairos, at the age of 90, concluding his service as a volunteer chaplain at the Indiana State Prison. He was awarded honors as a volunteer in 2019 by the State of Indiana for his work with the prisons and Kairos.
In his free time, Elton enjoyed skeet shooting, golfing, working with computers, and taking on new challenges, always eager to learn and grow.
Elton is survived by his wife of 67 years, Imogene Orpurt; children, Kari Orpurt- Roberts, Kraig (Barbara) Orpurt, Katrina (Paul) Marx and Kurt (Dawn) Orpurt; grandchildren, Joshua (Krystal) Roberts, Jenna Roberts, Garett (Kyla) Orpurt, Grace (Taten) Schrock, Madison (Tyler) Rodewig, Makenzie (Dominik) Davis and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind 2 bonus sons, Angelo Christopher Morris and Eddie Roberts. Roxanne (Lotsbaich) Crum and RaShaun Crawford were members of the family, along with many others that made a home with the Orpurts . He was preceded in death by his parents, Elton Sr. and Louie Verne Orpurt; brother, Robert Orpurt and sister, Mary Lou Orpurt.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
A celebration of Big Al’s life will be held on Saturday July12 from 1PM to 4PM at the Buchanan American Legion.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Elton to Kairos of Indiana, State Prison Chapter c/o New Hope Methodist Church 28765 CR4 Elkhart IN 46514
Born on August 13, 1930, to Elton Sr. and Louie Verne (Jefferson) Orpurt in Peru, IN, and raised in Michigan.
He was a graduate of Buchanan High School and attended Michigan State University. Elton “Big Al” served in the Korean war as a gunner for the United States Army. He was involved in many of the major battles of the war.
On September 14, 1957, he married the love of his life, Imogene L. Renbarger, and together they built a life filled with dedication, service, and faith.
Elton continued the family business, Orpurt’s, Inc. in Buchanan, MI, which specialized in plumbing, heating, sheet metal and electrical service work. His commitment to quality work and community service was a hallmark of his career.
A tireless volunteer and civic leader, Elton held numerous roles in the U.S. Jaycees, earning the distinguished title of “Exhausted Rooster” and serving at both the local and state levels. In Buchanan, he devoted 28 years to the Miss Buchanan organization and served on the Buchanan Old Fashion Labor Day Committee.
In 1986, Elton and Imogene relocated to Tennessee, where he embraced new opportunities with the same passion. He served as Development Supervisor for the 280-acre Mariner Point subdivision near Clinton, TN. He was a founding member of the Charter committee and board for the Great Smoky Mountain Emmaus Community.
While in Tennessee, Elton was a member of the Kern Memorial United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge, TN, where he served on the board of trustees. He was active with Kairos, serving on multiple teams, area councils, the East Tennessee Charter Committee, and as Tennessee State Secretary.
Elton, Big Al, deeply committed to his faith, was ordained and licensed clergy in the Assemblies of God Church and devoted over 20 years to prison-based ministries across 12 correctional facilities in four states.
Elton officially retired in August 2020 from Kairos, at the age of 90, concluding his service as a volunteer chaplain at the Indiana State Prison. He was awarded honors as a volunteer in 2019 by the State of Indiana for his work with the prisons and Kairos.
In his free time, Elton enjoyed skeet shooting, golfing, working with computers, and taking on new challenges, always eager to learn and grow.
Elton is survived by his wife of 67 years, Imogene Orpurt; children, Kari Orpurt- Roberts, Kraig (Barbara) Orpurt, Katrina (Paul) Marx and Kurt (Dawn) Orpurt; grandchildren, Joshua (Krystal) Roberts, Jenna Roberts, Garett (Kyla) Orpurt, Grace (Taten) Schrock, Madison (Tyler) Rodewig, Makenzie (Dominik) Davis and eight great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind 2 bonus sons, Angelo Christopher Morris and Eddie Roberts. Roxanne (Lotsbaich) Crum and RaShaun Crawford were members of the family, along with many others that made a home with the Orpurts . He was preceded in death by his parents, Elton Sr. and Louie Verne Orpurt; brother, Robert Orpurt and sister, Mary Lou Orpurt.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.swemchapel.com.
A celebration of Big Al’s life will be held on Saturday July12 from 1PM to 4PM at the Buchanan American Legion.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Elton to Kairos of Indiana, State Prison Chapter c/o New Hope Methodist Church 28765 CR4 Elkhart IN 46514
Memorial Contributions
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