EUGENE PATRICK MURRAY

1933 - 2011

Eugene Patrick Murray, 77, of Tuscola, Ill., died May 2, 2011, in DeKalb, Ill., surrounded by his wife and family. Born Aug. 1, 1933, in Amboy, the oldest of eight children to John James and Lois Ann (Oester) Murray, Gene graduated from Winnebago High School. He was the first person in his family to attend college, and graduated from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, with a Bachelor of Science in Education in June 1955. From 1955-1956, Gene taught grade school in Seward, Ill.
On June 4, 1956, Gene married E. Lucille Burris in Medora, Ill. Seven days later, he reported for basic training to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Gene served with the Artillery 5th Armored Division from June 1956-June 1958 at the Nike Missile Base in Pennsylvania. Following his military service, Gene's high school coach and mentor offered Gene a position with Tuscola School District 301. Gene moved with Lucille from Pennsylvania to Tuscola, where he impacted the lives of many young women and men for the next 30 years as a teacher and coach until his retirement in 1989.
Gene was a member of the Illinois Education Association, the National Education Association and Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, and a loyal Cubs fan.
Gene was the proud father of seven children, Christina Jones, Theresa (Jim) Mravca, Catherine Murray, Mark Murray, John Murray, Mary Murray and Sarah (Tom) Fellabaum; and the grandfather of eight, Zachary Jones, Caitlin (Adam) Kownacki, David, Joseph and Samantha Mravca and Maggie, Jack and Emma Fellabaum.
He is survived by his wife; children; grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Margaret Burris; brothers and sisters, William (Joyce) Murray, Joann (Glen) Crull, Rita (Bill) Ortgiesen, Raymond (Sheryl) Murray, Darlene Murray, Marcella Coots and Reginald (Patricia) Murray; nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his mother-in-law, Evelyn Burris.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, at the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, 201 E. Van Allen St., Tuscola, with Father Barry Harmon as celebrant. Military rites will be accorded. A vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 S. Main St., Tuscola, with visitation following from 4-7 p.m. Private family burial services will be held.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Tuscola High School Athletic Department or the school library in memory of Coach Murray.
To send online condolences, visit www.HilligossShraderFH.com.