Michael Elijah Murray, M.D., 83, of Olney, died on February 1, 2021 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital.

Michael was born on February 25, 1937 in Olney, IL, the son of Robert Elijah Murray and Eleanor (Gilbert). He married Molly (Reinert) on November 9, 1985 in St. Louis, MO, and she survives.

He attended the Olney public schools, the University of Illinois and received his MD from the University School of Medicine in Chicago.  He then went on to Marquette University Medical School in Milwaukee Wisconsin for an Internship and residency training in Internal Medicine.  He became a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American College of Cardiology.  Upon completion of his training he then served for two years as a medical officer in the Strategic Air Command of the United States Air Force.  After finishing his military service, he returned to Olney and joined the Internal Medicine department of the Weber Medical Clinic.  In 1970 he established the Intensive Care Unit at Richland Memorial Hospital and served as its unit director for the next 25 years.  In 1995, he left Weber Medical Clinic, moved into private practice and established the Olney Medical Clinic working there until his retirement in 2000.

In the early 1970’s, he served on the East Richland School Board of Education during which the East Richland Middle School was constructed.  His grandfather, Ben Murray was on the Board of Education which built the Cherry Street School in 1906 and his father Robert E. Murray was president of the Board of Education which built the East Richland High School.

He had a strong desire to see as much of this world as possible.  Throughout his life, he traveled throughout most of the United States and to thirty-seven foreign nations.  He had a strong interest in military history, literature, and poetry.

Michael is survived by his wife, Molly Murray of Olney; children, Patrick Elijah Murray and his wife Lisa, Ann Shapiro and her husband Mark, and Susan Schopflin and her husband John; grandchildren, Ben, Meagan, Adler, Dain, Ashley, Cash, Laurel, Jamie (Kenny), Andrew, Blake, and Grace; great grandchildren, Avery, Evelyn, and Chloe; Sister, Judy McKinney of Olney; niece, Janet (Pat) Everette; great nieces, Jessica (Jamie) VanDyke and Lauren (Rob) McClain.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Alan McKinney; nephew, Sean McKinney.

A Memorial Service for Michael will be held at a later date.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney – February 2, 2021