James E Murray

PEKIN ~ James Elias Murray, 62, formerly of Cordyn, Iowa, died at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at Hallmark House Nursing Center in Pekin. Born February 20, 1945 in Warsaw, Iowa to Jessie and Eupha (Stroud) Murray, he married Betty Sims on July 7, 1962 in Unionville, Missouri. Surviving are 2 daughters, Cindy (Ron) Sarver and Paulina (Kevin) Flynn, both of Pekin; 2 sons, Steve Murray and Jason Murray, both of Pekin; 8 grandchildren, Anita and Robert Damm, Gage, Bry, Shelbi, and Faith Sarver, Michael Wotton, and Michelle (Mike) Martiness; 5 great-grandchildren; 4 brothers, John (Mary) Murray of Griffin, Georgia, Gene (Margaret) Murray of Indianola, Iowa, Ted (Elaine) Murray of McDonough, Georgia, and Tom (Pat) Murray of Clarksville, Tennessee; and 6 sisters, Mina Trumper of Cordyn, Mae (Jimmy) Barker of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Betty Eagle of Ottumwa, Iowa, Mary (Jerry) Brown of Orange Park, Florida, Barbara (Wayne) Baldus of Buckner, Missouri, and Wanita (Paul) Rager of Independence, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents; and 2 brothers, Bill and Jesse Murray. Jim was an independent truck driver for many years, retiring in 2004. He was a St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and a NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fan. Jim's funeral will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Chaplin David Rodden will officiate. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the funeral. Cremation will be accorded following the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Illinois Dream Factory, P.O. Box 1431, Pekin, IL 61554.