Eugene Patrick Murray

TUSCOLA - Eugene Patrick Murray was born August 1, 1933 in Amboy, Illinois to John James and Lois Ann (Oester) Murray. Gene, the oldest of eight, graduated from Winnebago High School. He was the first person in his family to attend college and graduated from Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL with a BS in Education in June 1955. From 1955-1956, Gene taught grade school in Seward, IL. On June 4, 1956 Gene married E. Lucille Burris in Medora, IL. 7 days later he reported for basic training to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Gene served with the Artillery 5th Armored Division from June 1956 to 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, IL 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 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. Gene was a member of the Illinois Education Association, the National Education Association and Forty Martyrs Catholic Church and a loyal Cub's fan. Gene died on May 2, 2011 in DeKalb, IL surrounded by his wife and family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Evelyn Burris. 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. 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. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 6, 2011 at the Forty Martyrs Catholic Church, 201 East Van Allen Street, Tuscola, IL, with Father Barry Harmon as celebrant. Military rites will be accorded. A Vigil Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL with visitation following from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Private family burial services will be held. Online condolences to the family may be sent to hilligossshraderfh.com Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at http://legacy.com/obituaries/herald-review/