Shirley Joan Westphal Mac Murray
Shirley Joan (Westphal) Mac Murray, 99, passed away peacefully in Anderson, Indiana, the morning of Aug. 30, 2024.
She was born March 10, 1925, to Warren and Helen Westphal in Harvey, Illinois, and lived most of her life in the Chicago area. She grew up in Chicago Heights and after attending college, she lived and worked in Chicago before marrying and moving to the Chicago south suburbs. In 1990, she retired with her husband, Charles, to Murray, Kentucky, and later relocated to Anderson, Indiana in 2005.
She graduated from Bloom High School (1942) in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and from Cornell College (1946) in Mount Vernon, Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. She completed an internship in medical technology at Michael Reese Hospital and the University of Chicago and was board certified in medical technology by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (1948). She worked for several years in Chicago at the University of Illinois Research Hospital in the Bacteriology and Chemistry Laboratories and at the Michigan Avenue office of the Medical Director of Michael Reese Hospital.
Shirley met her husband, Charlie (Mac), in high school and the two fell in love through letters they exchanged while Charlie was serving in Europe during World War II. They married March 13, 1944, in Chicago Heights and raised three children, Bruce, Craig, and Kristin, in a home they designed in Flossmoor, Illinois.
Shirley loved being a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a volunteer in her local community. She enjoyed raising her three children, as well as three Golden Retriever “children” over the years. She was an avid crafter excelling in cross-stitch, knitting, and needlepoint. She loved gifting her works to others and her projects were highly sought at church Christmas events. She also loved gardening, her flower beds and yard were the envy of her neighbors. She was a member and served in several leadership positions with both the Woman’s Club and Garden Club in Flossmoor. She volunteered at her children’s schools and was a Girl Scout leader for many years camping with the girls in the sun, rain, or snow.
Shirley was known as a wonderful baker, making a huge variety of cookies each Christmas for family and friends. She was also an excellent cook, hosting exquisite luncheons and gourmet dinners for social gatherings and Charlie’s clients.
She and her family loved traveling to the Northwoods of Wisconsin for swimming and family game-playing in a cabin, as well as vacationing, particularly in the West, to explore and enjoy many of America’s National Parks. In her later years, she often remarked how thankful she was for those wonderful trips as a family in times when the parks were more basic, pristine, and less crowded.
After staying at home to raise her three children, Shirley fulfilled her lifelong ambition to become a nurse completing an associate’s degree in nursing at Prairie State Community College. Upon passing her boards, she went on to earn her RN and worked in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for 10 years at a 650-bed hospital (Ingalls Memorial, Harvey, Illinois) and then went on to serve as a Clinical Allergy Nurse at a medical center (Chicago Heights). The same year that she earned her associates degree in 1978, her daughter Kristin graduated from high school, her younger son, Craig, graduated with his BA from Cornell College (Shirley’s alma mater) and her elder son, Bruce, earned his doctorate degree from the University of Iowa.
Shirley was a devoted Christian and an active member of the United Methodist Church all her life, serving as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible school teacher, a book club member and Chair of Deaconesses at Flossmoor Community Church in Flossmoor, Illinois. Both in Murray and in Anderson, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and was active in local affiliated Women’s Circles. She volunteered as a reading tutor in the Anderson Community Schools at the elementary grade level for several years. She wasalsoa member and leader of the Congenials monthly ladies’ lunch group when she and Charlie lived in College Park Condominiums (Anderson).
Shirley moved to Assisted Living at Bethany Pointe in Anderson in 2011. She remained active there as a resident using her crafting skills and nursing background in whatever activities took place and as a “Volunteer Aid” to offer helpful conversation and assistance, including pushing wheelchairs for other residents. In 2018, she moved to Primrose Retirement Center in Anderson where she made many new friends and continued her love of crafts, shifting to hand-stamping greeting cards and reading as her main hobbies. She was known for making over 100 cards for major holidays to distribute not only to family and friends by mail, but also to hand out to residents and staff in the dining room at Primrose. She always referred to her crafts as “her therapy” and she was well served by such self-therapy until her last year of life. She became an avid reader during her time in assisted living and often commented that she appreciated “having the time now to catch up on my reading, which I didn’t have for most of my life when I was too busy doing other things.” She and Charlie were both major patrons of the libraries in Murray and especially in Anderson. She enjoyed reading a variety of books, especially historical accounts, biographies, and light novels.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Charles, in 2009; her parents, Warren and Helen Westphal of Chicago Heights; her sister, Barbara Wade of Merced, California; her brother, Warren Westphal of Harshaw, Wisconsin; and her son, Craig of Lake Villa, Illinois.
Shirley is survived by her son, Dr. Bruce (Sheila) Mac Murray of Anderson; her daughter, Kristin (George) Schmelter of Estes Park, Colorado; four grandchildren, Nicholas (Lorena Trevino) Mac Murray of Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Benjamin (Dr. Heather) Mac Murray of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Samantha Schmelter and Alexander Schmelter of Loveland, Colorado; and one great-grandchild, Jonas Mac Murray of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A private celebration of life service will be held in Colorado in the near future.
Memorial donations to honor Shirley may be made to First United Methodist Church, Anderson, Indiana, the Anderson Public Library, or your favorite charity in her name.
Online condolences may be left at www.rozelle-johnson.com.
Local arrangements were handled by Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service in Anderson.
Bettye J. Miller
Bettye J. Miller, 96, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, at her home with her loved ones by her side.
She was born May 17, 1928, in Murray, to Vernon Ross Outland and Oma Etha Lawrence Outland.
She was an entrepreneur who owned many stores over the years to service the community, from Lad and Lassie, The Happiness Place, Cherry Branch and The Place, which she owned and operated for more than 57 years in Murray before retiring at the age of 90. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church and was a big supporter of their Brazil Missions.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of more than 75 years, Joe Tipton “Tip” Miller, whom she married Oct. 31, 1946; one sister, Marion Gray Myers; one brother, J.D. Outland; and a great-granddaughter, Tinley Miller.
Mrs. Miller is survived by her daughter, Gaye Miller Haverstock and husband Van of Murray; her son, Rick Miller and wife Vicki of Murray; four grandchildren, Justin Miller and wife Tiffany of Murray, Rebecca Miller of Conway, Arkansas, Leigh Haverstock Moric and husband Damir of Belgrade, Serbia, and Megan Haverstock Poston and husband Jonathan of Murray; seven great-grandchildren, Grant Cansler, Kate Cansler, Teegan Miller, Minka Moric, Michael Moric, Peary Poston and Tipton Poston; one special niece, Melody McIntyre of Murray; and one great-nephew, Rodney Robinson.
Private family services and burial will be held.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Humane Society of Calloway County, 607 Poplar St. # A, Murray, KY 42071 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 Street Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
Online condolences may be left at www.jhchurchill.com.
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Jane Milton
Mary Jane Milton, 82, of Murray, Kentucky, received her heavenly reward Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
She was born Jan. 7, 1942, in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Mary Jane was well known for her good cooking and a green thumb. Her family and friends enjoyed her special iced brownies, strawberry cakes, fudge, and fresh garden vegetables. As a long-time member of Calvary Temple Church, she will be remembered for her love for children and her many years of teaching children’s church.
Left to cherish her beautiful memory is her husband of 63 years, William “Bill” Milton Sr. of Murray; her son, Bill Milton (Barbara) of Searcy, Arkansas; her grandson, Cody Milton of Little Rock, Arkansas; and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends. She had three brothers, Bennie Rex, Gary and Wayne, and a sister, Patricia.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Darrell Young officiating. Burial will follow in Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children’s Ministry at Calvary Temple Church, P.O. Box 655, Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences may be left at www.jhchurchill.com.
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Carl Dalton
Carl Dalton, 81, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray.
Born Dec. 27, 1942, in Calloway County, Kentucky, to John Leslie Dalton and Sylvia (Key) Dalton, he was employed as an electrician/HVAC repair technician at Fisher Price/Mattel and was a member of the Purchase Area Antique Tractor Club (PAATC) and Hazel Baptist Church, where he served as leader of the senior adults.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Fries; brothers-in-law, Glenn Lee, Jerry M. Lee and Roger Gore; and sister-in-law, Linda Young.
Mr. Dalton is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia Dalton; sisters-in-law, Joyce Lee of Murray, Susan Lee of Paris, Tennessee, and Glenda Gore of Henry, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Benny Fries of Paris; nieces, Tabitha (Russ) Wimberley of Mansfield, Tennessee, and Kelley Fries of Paris; nephews, Brad (Gretchen) Young of Nashville, Tennessee, Brian Lee, Clint (Tracy) Lee, and Erick (Jamie) Young, all of Murray; great-nieces, Annaston, Keragan, Madison, and Romie Young; and great-nephews, Philip Myrick and Knox Young.
The funeral service was at 12 noon Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in the chapel of Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home with Jordan Roach officiating. Burial followed in Murray Memorial Gardens with Brad Young, Brian Lee, Clint Lee, Erick Young, Sandy Lassiter and Tony Raspberry served as pallbearers. Visitation was from 10 a.m. until noon Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorial contributions made in memory of Mr. Dalton be directed to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 189, Box Elder, SD 57719; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Anna Mae Owen Hospice House, c/o The Foundation at MCCH, 803 Poplar St., Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences may be left at www.blalockcolemanfuneralhome.com.
Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home & Cremation Services was in charge of arrangements.
Greg Eugene Eldridge
Greg Eugene Eldridge, 59, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, at hishome.
Born Oct. 17, 1964, in Murray, he was the son of Clifton Eldridge andDonna Elizabeth (Lee) Bonner.
He was a truck driver, working for McKnight & Sons Sawmillin Almo and later for D & G Trucking Company in Puryear, Tennessee.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rhonda Eldridge.
Mr. Eldridge is survived by his cherished partner of 42 years, VickiMills; his children, April Black of Kirksey, Alberto Villanueva of Murray and GregoryEugene (Whitney) Villanueva of Almo; grandchildren, Taylor Black, Trace (Lydia) White,Tori (Nick) Hopkins, Alyssa Villanueva, Aiden Villanueva, Kayghan Villanueva, KalleighVillanueva, Brody Villanueva, and Layla Villanueva; great-grandchildren, Walker White,Westin Hopkins, and Charlotte White; a sister Sheila (Joe) Chambers of Tri-City; and he will be dearly missed by his fur baby, Peyton.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in thechapel of Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home with David Cunningham officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at the funeral home.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Murray-Calloway County Animal Shelter, 81 Shelter Lane, Murray, KY 42071.
Online condolences may be left at www.blalockcolemanfuneralhome.com.
Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Connie ‘Coco’ Norsworthy
Connie “Coco” Norsworthy, 84, of Kirksey, Kentucky, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, at Fulton Nursing and Rehabilitation in Fulton, Kentucky.
Arrangements are incomplete at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
FUNERAL NOTICE
The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services
James Willard Dunn
A graveside service is at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Hick’s Cemetery.
Mary Jane Milton
The funeral service is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Murray City Cemetery.
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Blalock-Coleman Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Greg Eugene Eldridge
The funeral service is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at the funeral home.
