Richard Lee Murray, 78, of Galveston, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 3:32 p.m. Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the St. Vincent Heart Center in Indianapolis.  He was born May 13, 1939 in Michigantown to John R. and Evelyn (Marley) Murray.   He married Christine Berkey on June 12, 1960 in Flora, Indiana and she survives.

Richard started his career in funeral service at the age of 14 working for Carter Funeral Home in Flora.  After graduating from Flora High School in 1957 he attended the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in Indianapolis, graduating in 1958.  He worked for Eikenberry Funeral Home in Peru from 1959 – 1969.  In 1969 he was given the opportunity to purchase the Thomas-Goodier Funeral Home in downtown Galveston that became the Murray Funeral Home and at that time also ran the ambulance service for the Galveston area.  He also served as Deputy Coroner in Cass County for several Coroner administrations and was on the Galveston cemetery board for many years.  In 1974 he expanded and built the current location of the funeral home in Galveston to better serve the community.   He also opened a furniture store in Galveston in 1976.  He purchased the Peacock Funeral Home in Kokomo in 1978 and then later purchased the Hartzler Funeral Home, formerly Wolf Funeral Home in Walton in 1985.  Dick enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing and traveling.

Serving families in need at the time of loss was very important to Dick.  His genuine caring went beyond arranging the funerals of family and friends of his community.  He cared most deeply about the spiritual lives of all he met, wanting them to know Jesus Christ as their personal savior.  His testimony to his family and all who knew him will never be forgotten.  One of his favorite scriptures is Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”

Surviving family include his wife Christine Murray, Galveston; his children, Rebecca K. (Greg) Paugh, Danville; Mark R. (Jill) Murray, Walton; Miriam L. (Chris) Weaver, Galveston; Andrew L. (Tara) Murray, Kokomo; his grandchildren, Kristiana (Mark) Miller, Kimberly Paugh, Katelyn Paugh, Joshua Murray, Matthew (Nina) Murray, Tabitha (Jacob) Byers, Cami Weaver, Austin Murray and Clayton Murray; his great grandchildren, Myles and Liam Miller, Noah Allison, and Paul, Levi and Asa Murray.  He is also survived by brothers and sisters in law, Janet (Bill) Fouts, MN; Dr. Merlin (June) Berkey, FL; and Nancy Berkey, W. Lafayette, IN.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Jerry Berkey.

Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston with Pastors Andrew Green and Jerry Moore officiating.  Burial will follow at Galveston Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 600 South Dixon Road, Kokomo, IN  46901 where he was a member and Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. P.O. Box 348, Warrenton, MO  63383.  Please share a memory or story about Dick at www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com

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