Murray, Eugene P.

MURRAY, HICKS, PEDERSON, OHMER, VREELAND, DAY

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer poster (email)
Date: 8/6/2008 at 17:48:55

Murray, Eugene P. View/Sign Guest Book

STERLING, Ill. — Eugene P. Murray, 99, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3rd, 2008, at the Franklin Grove Nursing Center. He was born in Leroy, IL on February 2, 1909, the son of Paul and Emma Murray and was a farmer in Thomson, IL from 1933 until 1973. In 1973, he and his wife Margaret retired to Sterling, IL where they discovered the game of golf and played until their late 80’s. Gene had a “Hole-in-1” at 88 years of age! Mr. Murray attended primary schools in Arrowsmith and Bellflower, IL and graduated with a BS in Agriculture Education from the University of Illinois in 1932. Eugene Paul married Margaret (Hicks) in Chadwick, IL on January 27, 1933 after meeting each other in college at the University of IL. Although he had prepared to be an “Ag teacher” in college, Gene moved to Thomson, IL in order to save the Murray family farm from foreclosure during the Great Depression. The Murrays had a Holstein grade Dairy herd and also raised livestock consisting of swine, beef cattle, and poultry. Mr. Murray was one of the first college graduates to engage in farming and was one of the first to plant corn and cultivate with a tractor in the early 1930’s. He was active as a 4-H Leader, involved in the Thomson Grade School Board, and also taught farming skills to the returning veterans after World War II. For many years Gene was active in the Carroll County Farm Bureau and received numerous state and area awards for crop yields and dairy production, along with receiving the Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts of America. Throughout his entire life, Gene Murray was a dedicated University of Illinois supporter, an avid Illini sports enthusiast, and an active “Chief Illiniwek” backer! He was an active member of the Thomson Methodist Church, First Congregational Church and Trinity United Methodist Church, both of Sterling. Survivors include his two sons, Dr. John P. Murray of Champaign, IL and David E. (Helen) Murray of Sterling, IL, all of whom graduated from the University of Illinois. He has 5 grandchildren, Lisa (Paul) Pederson of Winter Park, CO. Heather (Tom) Ohmer of Naperville, Michael (Olivia) Murray of San Francisco, CA, Grant (Lisa) Murray of Madison, AL and Roger (Maureen) Murray of Atlanta, GA.; and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Hicks) Murray in 2003; sister Pauline Vreeland; two brothers Adam and George Murray; and his daughter-in-law Judy (Day) Murray. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday August 6, 2008, at the Schilling Funeral Home, with the Reverend Jeff Coester, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Lower York Township Cemetery in Thomson. Visitation will be held from 5 -7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral. A memorial has been established to Thomson Depot Museum and Boy Scouts of America.Death date: Aug. 3, 2008
Published in the Clinton Herald from 8/4/2008 - 8/6/2008