Murray Frank Armstrong, 14 Aug 1932 - 19 Jul 2018

ARMSTRONG, BRUMME, ELLIS, WHITE, WIRT, DUFFY, POWERS, FREESE, WILSON, BURTON, FUNK, TWINING, MCNEIL

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 8/7/2018 at 13:36:26

Williamsburg-Murray Frank Armstrong peacefully passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018, at the Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg at the age of 85.

Murray was born August 14, 1932, in Bloomington, Illinois, the son of DeWitt and Caroline (Brumme) Armstrong. He graduated from Octavia High School in Colfax, Illinois and attended Illinois State Normal University. He served in the United States Navy from 1951-1955, during the Korean War. Murray was united in marriage to Marilyn Faye Ellis on October 30. 1955, in Danvers, Illinois. They lived and farmed in Cooksville and Colfax, Illinois for a number of years. Murray and Marilyn moved to Williamsburg in 1969. During the years he worked at various seed companies including Moews Seed, Jacques Seed, Armstrong Seed, NC Hybrids, Lynk's Seed and Mycogen Seed. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, serving on various positions. Murray served on the Williamsburg City council for 4 years and was Mayor of Williamsburg for 14 years. He also was a life member of the Iburg Poulson VFW Post #8797 and a charter member of the Williamsburg High School Booster Club.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn of Williamsburg; a son: Mark (Anne) Armstrong of Williamsburg; two daughters: Kim (Scott) White of Clive and Kelly (Brian) Wirt of Des Moines; eight grandchildren: Clare (Nick) Duffy, Jackie (Derek) Powers, Maggie (Jared Freese) Armstrong, John Armstrong, Aaron Wirt, Amelia Wirt, Hailey (Sean) Wilson and Jimmy (Lindsay) White; four great grandchildren: Audrey and Cora Duffy, Vera Wilson and Christian Burton and a sister: Ann Funk of Phoenix, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Donald, Bernard and Victor Armstrong; two sisters: Geraldine Twining and Janice McNeil.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. Burial will be at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, with a VFW Service at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Williamsburg Booster Club, Williamsburg FFA or Alzheimer's Association. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

The Journal Tribune, 25 Jul 2018
The Gazette, 22 Jul 2018