Retha Murbarger, age 88, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Thursday evening, December 20, 2018, at her home.

     She was born July 11, 1930, in Clay City, the daughter of Kenneth and Opal (Fulk) Padgett.  She was united in marriage to Eath Murbarger on August 30, 1949, in Tacoma, Washington and together they shared 55 years of marriage until his death October 14, 2004.

     Retha enjoyed bowling, camping, horseback riding, and square dancing.  She cherished time spent vacationing across the U.S. with Eath and enjoyed taking their grandkids on vacations and camping trips.  She was baptized at the Clay City Christian Church where she had been a lifelong member.  Retha will be remembered as a caring mother who cooked many wonderful meals for her family and friends.

     Retha is survived by a son: Dennis Murbarger of Clay City; 3 daughters: Donna Kessler (Ken) of Scottsville, KY, Deborah Hogan of Flora, and Dorris Rutland (Ray Jr.) of Flora; 5 grandchildren: Shawn Kessler, Heather Price (Frank), Justin Kessler, Cody Hogan (Heather), and Chris Murbarger (Dawn); 2 step grandchildren: Mark Rutland (Robin) and Christy Rutland Robinson (Eric); 13 great-grandchildren: Jason, Erika, and Alec Kessler, Kiara, Kyla, Kaedon, and Kailey Price, Leia and Lincoln Kessler, Mariah Hogan, and Ava, Ethan, and Kinsley Murbarger; 4 step great-grandchildren: Reece (Myriam) and Cory Rutland, and Lenzi and Aidan Robinson; 3 great-great-grandchildren: Sky, Storm, and Silver Kessler; Mariah’s mother: Andrea Dulaney; and several nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a grandson: Dustin Hogan; and siblings: Donnell Padgett, Wanda Anderson, and Delores Tibbs.

     A funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, December 23, 2018, at Clay City Christian Church.  Interment will follow in Clay City Cemetery.  Visitation will be Saturday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora, and Sunday from 1 until 2 p.m. at Clay City Christian Church.  Memorial donations are suggested to a love fund to assist the family with expenses and will be accepted through the funeral home.