LaVena F. Murphy, 96, of Marshall, IL passed away 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 28, 2016 in Regional Hospital at Terre Haute.

She was retired from the IL Secretary of State office at Springfield.

She was born May 30, 1920 in Marshall, IL, the daughter of James and Carrie B. Sheeks Litteral . She married William Clatfelter on Jan. 28, 1939 and he passed away Oct. 24, 1962. She later married Guy “Mike” Murphy on June 12, 1964 and he passed away July 18, 1973.

Surviving are a daughter, Judy Langston of Marshall; three sons, Richard Clatfelter of Petersburg, IL, Tom (Linda) Clatfelter of Sherman, IL and Terry (Judy) Clatfelter of Marshall; grandchildren, Bill Langston, Tim Langston, Samantha Ferris, Kenny Clatfelter, Trevor Clatfelter, Nick Clatfelter, Jeff Clatfelter, Arletta Clatfelter, Valancy Cadwell, Nathan Clatfelter, Joey Wells and Ashley Garcia; several great grandchildren and a brother, Lester Litteral of Marshall. In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Dennis Clatfelter; a son-in-law, Harvey Langston; a sister, Thelma Stanfield and four brothers, Floyd Litteral, John Litteral, Harlan Litteral and Hobert Litteral and a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Langston.

LaVena had served as secretary for both the American Legion Auxiliary and VFW Auxiliaries. She served as secretary of the Clark County Democratic Committee in the 1960’s and was a member of the Burnsides Guild. She was a true and loyal fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Jeff Gordon.

The mother of a young man killed in Viet Nam, at the time of her death she was the oldest surviving member of the Gold Star Mothers of both the VFW and Legion Auxiliaries.

Services in honor of her life will be 3:00 PM Friday at Pearce Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Duke officiating. Burial will be in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be 12 Noon until service time Friday at the funeral home. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to Heritage House of Hutsonville. Online condolences are being accepted at pearcefuneralservices.com.