Lois Anne (Berlekamp) Murray passed away the morning of January 17, 2016 at ProMedica Memorial Hospital in Fremont, OH after a brief illness. She was born near Old Fort OH on July 29, 1929. Her parents were Virgil J. and Esther (Biddle) Berlekamp, who have preceded her in death. She graduated from Old Fort High School, Class of 1947 and from Otterbein College, Class of 1951. She began her teaching career at Old Fort Elementary School. She married Ray Murray and lived in Colorado while Ray served in the Army. Ray and Lois then went into farming, first near Old Fort, then for the last 48 years near Fremont Ohio. They were married for 62 years. Lois returned to Old Fort High School to teach Spanish and Latin in 1965. She retired after thirty years and continued substitute teaching in area schools for a number of years after that.
Lois and Ray were lifelong members of Old Fort United Methodist Church. Among other church activities, Lois served as the organist there for forty years. She was also active in United Methodist Women, eventually rising to the position of President of the UMW Maumee Watershed District in the West Ohio Conference.
Lois continued as an active volunteer at Bethesda Care Center and Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont. She was also an active member in Sandusky County Retired Teachers Association, Seneca County Retired Teachers Association, Life Scholar’s Curriculum Committee at Terra State Community College and The American Association of University Women, Tiffin Chapter. She was a genealogist, having published the History of the Descendants of T.C. and Mary Jane Biddle and of the Harry R. and Christine Murray family. She received the Outstanding Citizens Award for 1990-91 from the Old Fort Young Farmers. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, students, and many others whose lives she touched.
Lois is survived by her husband, Ray E. Murray, children Rebecca L. (David) White, Dublin OH, Elizabeth S. (David) Crawford, Fremont OH, Robert E. (Patricia) Murray, Florissant, MO and Bradley C. (Susan) Murray, Elmore Oh. She is also survived by grandchildren Thomas (Heather) Crawford, Pittsburgh PA, Joseph (Stephanie) Crawford, Boston MA, Gwendolyn (Michael) Mullinix St. Louis MO, Erin Murray, Springfield MO, Brandon Murray and Holly Murray both of Elmore Ohio; great grandchildren Mary Alice and William Crawford; brother Ray Berlekamp of Old Fort area, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Horvath Hanes, 211 N. Broadway St., Green Springs OH.
The funeral will be on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 11:00 a.m. at Old Fort United Methodist Church, 1070 E. Pleasant St., Old Fort, OH with Pastor Marc Quinter officiating.
Memorials may be sent to Old Fort United Methodist Church, Bethesda Care Center, or donor’s choice.
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Bev (Biddle) & Steve Johnson
We will truly miss Lois, she kept us connected the all the Biddles. We really enjoyed our visit with Lois and Ray when we came out to Ohio in our RV. She made us feel like family.
Our prayers are with you all.
Bev & Steve
Santa Cruz, Calif.
Terry Meyer
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lois was a blessing to all who knew her -a wise, loving soul with a heart of gold. She has left a proud legacy here on earth as the Lord welcomes her home.
Todd & Lynn Hull
Our deepest sympathies for your loss. Mrs. Murray was our Latin & Spanish teacher and I had the pleasure of serving on Lead Team at OFC with her. Prayers for your family.
Terry Robideau
I will miss Lois greatly as a friend but mostly as a mentor. Lois helped me so much with being president MWD UMW and all my responsibilities. Lois will be greatly missed and my prayers go out to the family. God bless you.
Ann Adelsperger
My Sincerest Sympathy to entire family. Much Love, Ann Adelsperger
René Wise Dumas
My sympathy to the entire family. I have very fond memories of Mrs. Murray in Latin class as well as listening to her play the organ at church. My favorite memories of her in Latin was her helping us build the Coliseum in sugar cubes. She will always be remembered as a lovely and kind lady. God Bless, René Wise Dumas, Great Falls, VA
Sue Belle Biddle Boals
Lois ,Ray and I are three of the last Biddle cousins . I’M so sorry I missed some of the last Biddle reunions and have not been able to visit with LOIS and you all. She always called and kept me in touch with everyone. She was a wonderful gal and I’M sorry we couldn’t be there for her funeral as we are spending the winter months on Jekyll Is Ga. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. Love Sue Belle and David
Danette
Prayers for the family of Mrs. Murray. She was a great teacher and a great person. Be blessed Mrs. Murray. May God welcome you with open arms.
Julie Guth
My sympathy to the Murray family. I have great memories of Mrs. Murray in Spanish class at Old Fort. We still all talk about the Spanish names she gave us and the Christmas Carols we sang in Spanish.
She will be remembered with many smiles.
Julie Guth – Tiffin, Ohio
Amy ( Hunt) Souder
Brad..so sorry to see of your Mother’s passing. I will keep you & your family in my prayers.
Amy Souder
Hope (Walters) Bowers
Mrs. Murray was a kind and loving woman who always had a smile on her face. I don’t remember her ever frowning or getting upset with her students. She always had a graceful personality. She will be missed by all who knew her. Rest in peace .
Connie Nieset White
My thoughts are with you all during this sad time. I hope that fond memories will bring you comfort.
nancy hernandez
My prayers and thoughts are with you Beth and your family.
Carol Hall
Beth and Family,
May your mother’s memory be eternal. You have my sympathy.
Carol
Mary Lopez- Snyder
My condolecences to the family. I have very found memories of Mrs Murray. She was a great friend of my Mom’s and a great teacher!
Lynne (Nowak) Abernathy
The Nowak family would like to offer our deepest sympathy to all of the Murray family. We all know that Lois was synonymous with Old Fort School. She will be sadly missed.
susan lutz
My deepest sympathy to the family. Mrs. Murray was an excellent Spanish teacher who was always available to her students. What I learned in her class, I still remember today. She was a great spiritual lady.
Joanne Jastram
Becky, your mother lead a full and blessed life. You are blessed to be her daughter.
May you and your family know God’s comfort at this time.
Linda jacobs
Prayers and hugs to all the family. Hugs Beth and sorry for your lost
Gary and Shauna Thompson
Gary and I send our deepest sympathy for your loss. May the Lord bless you all. May He comfort you and keep you in His loving care. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
We’re praying for the family.
John and Cathey Harpster
May God’s love and comfort be with the Murray family at this difficult time. She will be missed.
Pat Werner Ulmer Rayburn
Our deepest sympathy to the family. I will always remember my days in Spanish class with Mrs. Murray and her commitment to teaching. She will be sadly missed in the community.
Rev. Barry Bordenkircher
So sorry to heart about Lois. I was privileged to work with her many times as she brought her talents to the Ft. Seneva church in times of need, and often helped with ecumenical services. She was all class and grace…with a lovely smile and giving spirit.
Melinda C. Hipsher
Dear Ray and Family,
I will certainly miss Lois. She shared a lot of information during our travels together to Columbus, assembly, Mission u, etc. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her. What a wonderful opportunity I had in getting to know her. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Love, Melinda Hipsher
Sandra Wise
I am so sorry for the loss of Lois. She was truly a very respected educator and caring neighbor. She served as a mentor to me in so many ways. I am sorry I cannot be there to personally offer my sympathies as you all were such a support when my Mom died. Know that you are in my thoughts and cherishing the memories. Best to all, Sandy Wise
Candace Nieset
I’m deeply saddened to hear about the loss your family has encountered. Lois was a wonderful lady, raised a great family and she touched so many lives. Brad, my heart goes out to you and your family. My sincere condolences.
Lori (Curns) Fate
I have such fond memories of Mrs. Murray. I so enjoyed the 4 years of Latin that I took with her in high school in the 1980’s. What I learned from her has helped me in my 26 years as a nurse. She was always so pleasant to be around and I’m proud to have known her. My condolence to those she left behind.
Lori (Curns) Fate
sriema nightingale
My deepest sympathy to all family members! So sorry to hear her demise. May God restore her spirit with peace and salvation!
Gerald Bishop
My condolences to Becky and the whole family in this time of loss. God promises to comfort us in all our troubles (2 Cor. 1:3-6); I pray that you sense his comfort in this time of loss.
Sincerely, Gerald Bishop
Jennifer (Conn) Miller
May my condolences bring your family comfort and may prayers ease the pain of this loss.
Mrs Murray was a sweet and patient teacher. The last time I chatted with her was 3 years ago at the Old Fort alumni. I was very pleased and somewhat surprised that she said I was a “sweet girl”. In return she received the biggest hug from me! That meant SO MUCH!
The students and staff of Old Fort were truly blessed with Mrs . Murray. May God be with you and the whole family.
Sincerely Jennifer (Esmerelda)
Lois Abbott Yost
“Berle,” as we knew her at Otterbein College, was more than a special friend. We have kept in touch every year since our graduation and have visited in each other’s homes in Florida and Ohio. I know her family and many friends will miss her loving ways. Lois Abbott Yost, Tampa, Florida.