Oxford, Nebraska

OXFORD -- Floyd William Murdoch, 83, died Friday (Jan. 9, 2009), at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.

He was born June 30, 1925, in Gosper County, to Charlie and Iva (ten Bensel) Murdoch. He was baptized at a young age. The family moved from Gosper County to Harlan County in 1933 where he attended the Carter School and graduated from Mascot High School in 1943.

On May 15, 1948, he married Marie Daum of Murdo, S.D. The couple engaged in farming and resided on farms near Edison and Holdrege, and moved in 1959 to the farm where he grew up near the Carter School in Harlan County. They moved to Oxford in 1973 and were residing at Holdrege Memorial Homes at the time of his death.

He was an active member of the Oxford First Baptist Church, serving on many boards and committees.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson and one great-granddaughter both in infancy.

He is survived by his wife, Marie; five children, Carolyn Murdoch Lueking and her husband, Jerry of Oxford, the Rev. Stan Murdoch and his wife, Pam of Kearney, Shirley Murdoch Smith and her husband, Dr. Tom Smith of Holdrege, Duane Murdoch and his wife, Cheryl of Orleans, and Marlin Murdoch and his wife, Polly of Orleans; sisters, Maxine Reed of Holdrege, Cleo Purdy and her husband, Ozzie of Mission Viejo, Calif.; brothers, Paul Murdoch and his wife Ardyce of Carpenter, Wyo., and Dale Murdoch and his wife, Betty, of Holdrege, 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.