May 6, 1924 — Jan. 29, 2016

Evelyn C. Murray, 91, of South Bend, formerly of Niles, passed away on Jan. 29, 2016, at Sanctuary at Holy Cross in South Bend, Indiana, following an extended illness.

She was born on May 6, 1924, in Niles to the late Cecil P. and Enda C. (Redding) Hodgson.

Evelyn graduated from Washington-Clay High School. In 1941, Evelyn met the love of her life, Charles “Chuck” Murray at the skating rink. The young couple enjoyed their dates skating, going to the movies and bowling. On April 20, 1946, Evelyn married Chuck at Community Congregational Church and after 58 happy years, he passed away on Dec. 20, 2004.

She retired from Sarley Heating Company after 31 years. After retirement Evelyn enjoyed her time spent at Cobblestone Florist and Gifts in North Village Mall. Many will also remember Evelyn and Chuck as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. The couple also enjoyed their travels in their motorhome, time sailing on Lake Michigan and many trips to Georgia and Florida. Her greatest treasure was her family and enjoyed being a grandmother and great-grandmother.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a sister Margaret Johnson.

She is survived by her four children; Charles “Bill” Jr. (Edith) Murray of Edwardsburg, Cecil (Cara) Murray of Niles, Curtis Murray of Wheatfield, Indiana and Elaine (Larry) Priest of Three Oaks, Michigan, nine grandchildren; Katrina (Shawn) Yoder, Marika (Craig) Zandstra, Michael (Cyndy) Murray, Peter (Jaclyn) Murray, Ruth Ann Murray, Jeremy Murray, Victoria Murray, James Priest and Heather (Rodney) DeHaan, 10 great-grandchildren; Kiersten, Ian, Luke, Viktor, Grant, Connor, Alexa, Cody, Logan and MiKayla, two brothers, Cecil “Bud” Hodgson of Niles and Ronald (Jolene) Hodgson of Mishawaka and a sister-in-law Andrea (Ben) Starkweather of South Bend as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held at Deer Run Church of Christ in Mishawaka at 11 a.m. on her birthday, May 6, 2016. with a time of visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. A private interment will be held at St. Joe Valley Memorial Park in Mishawaka.

Memorial contributions may be made in Evelyn’s memory to The Sanctuary at Holy Cross 17475 Dugdale Dr., South Bend, Indiana 46635 or to The Center for Hospice Care in South Bend 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, Indiana 46637.

Condolences, photos and memories may be shared with her family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.