Grant Murrell

Grant Murrell

VIRDEN, IL

Roger Grantly (Grant) Murrell passed away peacefully at his home in Virden, IL on Saturday, September 11, 2016 after his short and courageous battle with cancer. Grant was a native of West Texas and was born in Hamlin, TX, on April 17, 1960, to Max and Jane Murrell. He moved, with his parents to Merkel, TX, at an early age where he completed all of his primary and secondary education. He was a good student and athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and track.

In the fall of 1978, he enrolled at West Texas State University at Canyon, TX, joined the Sigma Nu Fraternity, and graduated in the spring of 1982 with a BBA Degree in Management. After graduation, he returned to Merkel where he worked in his father's auto business until 1994 when that business was sold. He subsequently went to work at Lawrence Hall Chevrolet in Abilene, TX.

HE married Vickie Pieper in January, 1997, and they continued to live in Abilene until 2008, when they moved to Virden, IL, which was where Vickie had grown up. He began a new career in the trucking business, and was the principal operator of Grant Murrell Trucking at the beginning of his illness in March, 2016.

Grant is survived by his loving wife, Vickie; his parents, Max and Jane Murrell; his sister and her husband , Kathryn and Mark Deyo; his step-daughter, Jamie Gibbs; his step-son and wife, Jeremy and Michelle Pieper; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, a niece and nephew, and numerous other relatives. Grant leaves behind many close friends and co-workers who were such an important part of his life. Grant was a loving son, husband, grandfather, and great grand father.

A celebration of his life will be held at Stults-Neece Chapel in Palmyra, IL on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 11:00 AM. The Family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial be made to your favorite charity.