Murray

Charles Dale Murray, 86, of Emlenton, Scrubgrass Township, Venango County, died at 12:05 a.m. Thursday at his home.

Mr. Murray was born May 31, 1923, in Scrubgrass Township, Venango County. He was the son of Charles S. and Ora Belle Logue Murray.

He was a true steward of the land and enjoyed operating his father's farm. The farm later became his own, and he operated it until very recently.

Mr. Murray also enjoyed hunting, fishing, his church community and spending time with his grandchildren.

Mr. Murray was employed for a number of years at the box factory at Owens-Illinois Glass Co. in Clarion. He was later employed by PennDOT in Venango County for 17 years, and he retired in the late 1970s from the Quaker State Oil Refining Corp. in Emlenton after 17 years, having worked both as a night watchman and an operator in the boiler house.

Mr. Murray was a lifelong active member of the Big Bend United Methodist Church. He was the cemetery sexton at the Big Bend Cemetery for many years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and belonged to the Parker City-Allegheny Valley Masonic Lodge in Parker and the Consistory Valley of New Castle.

Surviving is his wife of two years, Beverly Wade Conforti Murray; a son, Dennis Murray and his wife, Judy; a sister, Ruth M. McElroy and her husband, Robert; a grandson, Lewis Murray and his wife, Cindy; a granddaughter, Crystal Murray; and a great-grandson, Lucas Murray. Also surviving are four stepsons, Jon Stewart, Bob Stewart, Terry Stewart and Jim Wade; a stepdaughter, Barb Best; nine step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren, and 11 nieces and nephews.

Mr. Murray was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Mable Grace Rodgers Murray; a daughter, Nancy Ann Murray; a brother, George Clair Murray; and two sisters, Velma Jean Sloan and Nettie Belle Berlin.

<B>MURRAY </B>— Friends of Charles Dale Murray, who died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, will be received from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Big Bend United Methodist Church, 941 Highlands Road, Emlenton. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday at the church with the Rev. James W. Kimmel, church pastor, officiating. Interment will take place in Big Bend Cemetery, Scrubgrass Township, Venango County.Arrangements are under the direction of the <B>Hile Funeral Home</B>, 1204 Kerr Ave., Emlenton.Memorial contributions may be made to the Big Bend United Methodist Church, c/o Nancy Wood, 780 Highlands Road, Emlenton, 16373 or to the Venango VNA Foundation, 176 E Bissell Ave., Oil City, PA 16301-1957.Condolences may be sent by visiting HileFH.com.