Ohio, and died June 2, 2018. She was raised in Bradford, Ohio, and graduated from Bradford
High School. Iris attended Manchester College. While working at Waco Aircraft Company, she
met Clyde Murtaugh. They were married in Tucson, Arizona on Valentine’s Day, 1944.
Iris and Clyde welcomed four children, and lived in Troy, Ohio , Grand Prairie, Texas, and Ann
Arbor, Michigan. Iris went back to school and in 1970 earned a degree in Music Education from
Eastern Michigan University. For several years she taught private piano lessons.
Iris was a gifted musician: cornet and marimba (holding two mallets in each hand) in the
Bradford High School Band; alto voice (sang with church choirs and soloist in the Messiah);
pianist, organist (Memorial Christian Church).
Iris was also a candy maker extraordinaire: fudge, pecan pralines, Buckeyes, and with Clyde,
Pearl Murtaugh’s recipe for Opera Creams (Christmas).
Iris was a long-time member of Journey of Faith Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, formerly
Memorial Christian Church. She was also a member of American Guild of Organists, Bendix
Wives, and Iroquois Place Book Club.
Iris was predeceased by her parents, five sisters (Evelyn Rose, Virginia, Magdalene, Eileen,
and Dixie), and her husband Clyde. She is survived by her children Nikii Murtaugh, Rev. Dr. Tim
(Jennifer) Murtaugh, Dr. Chris Murtaugh, and Pete (Debbie) Murtaugh, grandchildren Meghann
(Adam) Koile, Gabe Murtaugh and Caity Murtaugh, and brother-in-law Jack Davis.
Mom was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the staff and administration of Evangelical Homes in Saline,
Michigan for their outstanding care.
In lieu of flowers kindly send memorial gifts to Journey of Faith Christian Church, 1900
Manchester Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 or Evangelical Homes of Michigan Foundation, 34024
West 8 Mile Road, Suite 101, Farmington MI 48335.
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