Ronald L. "Ron" Murray

Ronald L. "Ron" Murray, 78, of Princeton, IL, formerly of Robinson, Oblong, and Newton IL, passed away on February 15, 2022. He was born March 4, 1943, in Robinson, the son of Paul E. Murray, Sr. & Mildred (Kleiner) Murray, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Paul E. Murray, Jr. He married Barbara "Bobbie" Leonard on August 1, 1964, and to this union, three children were born: Aaron & wife Sherri Murray (Princeton, IL), Jim & wife Michelle Murray (Indianapolis, IN), and Molly & husband Dennis Mendenhall (Findlay, OH), all of whom survive. He is also survived by his grandchildren & their spouses, Daniel & Kirsten Murray (Princeton, IL), Michael Murray (Princeton, IL), Sarah Murray (Princeton, IL), Anna Murray (Princeton, IL), Brandon & Alyson Johnson (Mooresville, IN), Nicholas Murray (Indianapolis, IN), Alexander Murray (Indianapolis, IN), Zachary Mendenhall (Findlay, OH), and Allison Mendenhall (Findlay, OH); his great-grandchildren, Bryce Johnson, Brooke Johnson, Charlotte Johnson, Grady Murray, and Baker Murray; his sisters & brother-in-law, Barb & Jim Beasley (Harrisburg, IL) and Beverly VanTassell (Houston, TX); as well as several nieces and nephews. Throughout Ron's 78 years with us, it was always evident that family brought life to his living. After all, Ron was a devoted son, a caring brother, a proud father, and a doting grandfather, and will be remembered for pouring so much of himself into each of these roles. For the sake of his family, he always strived to better himself as a man. Ron graduated from Barber School in his early manhood and operated a thriving barber shop in Robinson for several years. He later worked at the Marathon Refinery where he eventually retired. Following retirement, Ron returned to barbering part time in Willow Hill, IL where he once again established a very good clientele until reaching full retirement. Ron, like his father, was also a 32 Degree Freemason. By any and all accounts, Ron Murray was a creative soul. His spirit longed to take the potential of a handful of seeds and make a garden, to take various building materials and construct a home, to take an idea and craft it into a melody. A skillful musician, he played guitar for The Esquires while he was in high school and would later bring his talent to various venues in the Ste. Marie/Newton area. He didn't just play country and rock'n'roll standards, he was known to compose his own songs as well, leaving behind a meaningful and powerful legacy for his loved ones to cherish for years to come. Though his song has ended, we are thankful that his melody lingers on in the hearts of all who knew him. A time of visitation will be held from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 20th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor J.D. Branson officiating. Burial will be in the Jones Cemetery.