John F. Murray died on August 16, 2024 in Hesston, Kansas. He was born August 1, 1932 in Niagara County, New York. He was the 12th of 14 children born to Elmer F. and Lydia (Hooley) Murray.
On June 6, 1958 he married Marilyn Stauffer in Milford, Nebraska, the daughter of Uriah and Edna (Troyer) Stauffer. They had two children Kathleen Karen and John Charles.
From 1954 to 1956, John was in voluntary service at a hospital in Puerto Rico. He taught high school government, economics and Spanish at Kouts High School, Kouts, IN for 30 years.
He was ordained on May 20, 1962 at the Hopewell Mennonite Church, Kouts, Indiana which he served for 30 years. Following his retirement from Hopewell he served as an Interim Pastor in seven churches and as an Overseer in three congregations.
In 2008 John and Marilyn moved to Hesston, Kansas to be near their children.
Surviving are his wife, Marilyn; son John (Krista) Murray of Hesston, Kansas; three grandchildren, John (Denay) Murray, St. Paul, MN, Joel (Katie Miller) Murray, Harrisonburg, VA; and Meghana Murray, St. Louis Park, MN; two great-grandsons, JD and Theodore Murray; sisters Shirley Miller of Harrisonburg, VA, Doris Klingelsmith of Sarasota, FL; son-in-law, Jon (Kris) Friesen of North Newton, Kansas; and two step grandchildren, Blake Friesen and Jaecy Friesen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Kathleen Foster Friesen, son-in-law John Foster, and 11 of his siblings.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Hesston Mennonite Church. The family will greet friends at the church before the service from 9 to 10 a.m. Private burial will be held at Eastlawn Cemetery, rural Hesston. Cards and condolences may be mailed to Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, KS 67062.