Father Donald Lee Murrin
January 19, 1933 ~ October 27, 2017 (age 84) 84 Years OldShare Tribute:
Father Donald Lee Murrin, SVD, age 84 of Liberty, passed away in Houston, TX following an extended illness. Father Don was a priest in residence at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Liberty. Donald was born January 19, 1933 in Greenville, PA, son of the late Gerard and Ardell Eiseman Murrin. He attended St. Michael’s Parish School in Greenville, PA before entering Sacred Heart Seminary in Girard, PA from which he graduated in 1950. Donald also attended Canisicius College in Buffalo, NY as well as Divine Word College in Epworth, IA. He was ordained April 2, 1960 in Techny, IL in the Diocese of Chicago, into the Society of Divine Word and ministered at Our Lady of the Garden, St. Anselm and St. Elizabeth Catholic Churches in Chicago and St. Nicholas in St. Louis, MS before moving south in the late 1980s to serve as pastor at St. Mary’s in Vicksburg, MS, St. Peter in Pinebluff, AK, St. Rose De Lima in Bay St. Louis, MS and his final two years here at Immaculate Conception Church in Liberty, TX. Fluent in Spanish, he offered masses, baptisms and other sacraments to the Hispanic community. It was said that he was so kind and compassionate and always had a smile on his face. Father Murrin will be remembered for his service to the overlooked and less fortunate where he ministered.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother; Anne DuPal Murrin, brother; Richard Murrin, nephew; John Murrin, brother-in-law; Daniel Gaus and sisters-in-law; Cori Murrin and Antonia Murrin. He leaves behind to cherish his memory, brothers; Nelson Murrin of Mentor, OH, William Murrin and wife Carol of Hermitage, PA, Thomas Murrin and wife Teresa of Greenville, PA, Michael Murrin and wife Chris of Sharpsville, PA, Lawrence Murrin and wife Joy of Raleigh, NC, sisters; Elaine Gaus of Greenville, PA, Gene Marie Murrin of Greenville, PA, Margaret Moder and husband William of Hermitage, PA, Anne Portz and husband Matthew of McMurray, PA, thirteen nephews and nieces and two grandnephews and grandnieces.