Harold Murray

Harold Dean Murray, 84, of Indianola passed away at 2:50 p.m. Friday May 16, 2008 at the VA Illiana Health Care System. He was born on December 20, 1923 in Jamaica, IL the son of Oscar Everett and Stella Taylor Murray. He married Imogene Wilson on July 16, 1946 in Danville, IL. She survives. Other survivors include one son, Darold Gene Murray of El Mirage, AZ, three daughters, Frances Kay (David) Wenz of Glendale, AZ, Ruth Ann (David) James of Phoenix, AZ, and Thelma Irene Mercer of Danville, IL, twenty plus grandchildren and sixteen plus great grandchildren, two sisters, Freeda May (Carl) Marana of Anaheim, CA, and Ruby Irene (Dennis) Martin of Indianola, IL, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, three children, George Allen Murray, Rebecca Ione Britton, and Dale Everett Murray, one brother, Floyd Arnold Murray, and one sister, Dorothy Marie Woods. Harold owned and operated Murrays Body Shop in Danville before moving to Arizona where he retired from Phoenix Transit. He was an ordained minister for fifty-five years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served under General Patton during WWII. He was in the Field Artillery in the Yankee Division and fired the 155 Howitzer. Harold enjoyed being a minister and going to gospel revivals. He enjoyed singing and playing instruments for the revivals. He liked fishing, bowling and loved talking to people. He especially love laughing and making people laugh. He was a wonderful, caring and loving husband and father, who enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. A celebration of Harolds life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday May 20, 2008 at Sunsets Houghton-Leasure Funeral Home. John Deeters will be officiating. Burial will be at Danville National Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday May 19, 2008 at the funeral home.