Clifford Richard Murdock

Clifford Richard Murdock, 92, of Palestine, IL, died November 14, 2020, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. He was born June 26, 1928, in Palestine, the son of Martin Murdock & Mable Esther (Thomas) Murdock, both of whom preceded him in death. He married Alberta Harris on November 19, 1949, and she preceded him in death on May 22, 2011. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Bill, Raymond, and Joe Murdock; and by three sisters, Eunice Lamb, Genieve Osborn, and Edith Houser. He is survived by his son, Larry Joe Murdock & Rachelle (Palestine, IL); by 4 grandchildren, Brady & Melissa Murdock (Palestine, IL), Timmy & Danielle Murdock (Vincennes, IN), Eric & Rama Murdock (Vincennes, IN), and Kendra & Bill Drury, Jr. (Hutsonville, IL); and by several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Clifford was born and raised in Palestine before answering his country's call at the age of 17, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II. We are humbled by the generosity of spirit that enabled him to take up the call of freedom for his fellow man. Back home, he worked for a number of local employers: he managed a feed mill at Lawrenceville before getting on with Reinbold's, for whom he worked for quite some time. Eventually, he got on with Victor Dana, where he worked in production for 17 years before retiring in the early 1990s. Never one to let dust settle, retirement found him working for Car Connection, and this provided him with not only a paycheck, but something to do, as well. At home, he busied himself in his garden, and he particularly found great satisfaction in tending to his roses. Though he always considered Palestine to be his home, he found fulfillment in traveling, especially to Florida, which was his "home away from home", especially in the winter months. Anyone who knew Clifford could attest to one thing, the man could talk. He was a storyteller-extraordinaire, a master of the spoken word. Needless to say, this people-person could strike up a conversation with just about anybody! However, the conversations he valued the most were with his Lord. It was evident that Clifford was a man of great faith. He recognized that "church" wasn't just something he did at the Bible Holiness Church of Terre Haute every Sunday morning, but that it was a part of who he was. He could often be found deep in prayer, and talked to God as one talks to a beloved friend. He personified the 23rd Psalm, in that the Lord was truly his Shepherd; and that because of this, he lacked nothing. The joy he found in this relationship was evident in the random outbursts of worshipful singing that filled his day-to-day life, as well as in the gentle kindness that characterized his 92 years. In short, Clifford Murdock glorified his Father. We are thankful for his life, a life that, by the grace of God, will never end. A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO COVID-19 MANDATES PASSED BY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE, AND IT WILL BE REQUIRED THAT ALL ATTENDEES WEAR FACE COVERINGS. Memorial contributions may be made to "St. Jude Children's Research Hospital", an organization near and dear to Clifford's heart. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Due to the newly-increased public safety measures being enforced by the State of Illinois, there will not be an in-person service. However, Clifford's family would like to invite you to view the live stream of his service at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 19th. This can be done on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream. Burial will be in the Palestine Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by the combined units of the Robinson V.F.W. Post #4549, the Robinson American Legion Post #69, and the Flat Rock American Legion Post #132.