Marion "Merle" Murray

Marion “Merle” Murray age 96 of Bloomington IL passed away at 7:38 PM Monday, December 16, 2024, at Goldwater Care, Bloomington, IL. Visitation will be 2:00 PM-4:00 PM Sunday, December 22, 2024, and Monday 10:00 AM-11:00 AM at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. His funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Monday, December 23, 2024, at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL Pastor Tim Ferrill will be officiating. The Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard will accord military rites at the funeral home. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Bloomington, IL. The family welcomes flowers or a donation in Merle’s name to your preferred charity.

Merle was born on June 30th, 1928 to Adam and Irene Murray in Bellflower, Illinois. He attended University High School as a football, track & swim team member. He then attended Illinois State University (Class of ’51) for his teaching degree where he played drums for the ISU marching band and met his wife, Donna—a saxophone player whom he cheekily offered his lap to when there were no open seats on the band bus. Merle and Donna were married on January 13, 1951, in Long Point, IL, and enjoyed 63 years of marriage until her death on October 20, 2014. His parents and brother, Francis (Eugene) Murray, preceded him in death.

While attending college. Merle was a member of the National Guard. He served 1 year of active duty in Korea and was Honorably Discharged in 1952 as Sgt. First Class. After his return from Korea, Merle began his career as an educator, teaching for 17 years at Milford Junior High, Bloomington High School, and Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailor’s Children’s School in Normal IL until its closure in 1979. In addition to his teaching career, Merle was a pillar of the business community. In 1954, he entered the family business, managing Murray’s Hobbyland with his father and brother until Merle purchased the store in 1966. Over the next few decades, he and Donna expanded Hobbyland to include Craftland and Adventureland. The “fun store with red door” was a downtown retail mainstay. Merle enjoyed helping and educating his customers, some of whom were the grandchildren of his first customers. He sold the business and retired in 1995.

Merle was active in the community, volunteering in leadership roles for the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, Illinois State basketball games, Kiwanis (President 1998-99), and Shriners. His passion for education was evident in his volunteerism. He spent many years as a Scoutmaster earning the Silver Beaver and Life Scout awards, and led several workshops at local schools through the Children’s Discovery Museum. Merle was a member of First Christian Church for over 50 years and served a term as their board president. Merle’s legacy of service and dedication to family and community remains an enduring inspiration.

Merle is survived by his four children, Kathie (George) Weaver, Denver, CO; Carol (Kirk) Anderson, Bloomington; Merle David Murray, Bloomington; and Paul Murray, Bloomington; three grandchildren Grant (Kate) Weaver, Boston MA; Alyssa (Mason) Goetz, Denver, CO; and Anna (Chris) Sochotsky, Bloomington; 2 great-grandchildren Lulu & Remy Goetz. He is also survived by his two sisters, Marilyn Cope & Martha (Lin) Walkington both of Bloomington.