Murray E. Newcomer
DIXON – Murray E. Newcomer, 94, of Dixon, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, at KSB Hospital in Dixon. He initially was employed at Gambles Hardware Store. Later, he worked at Lawton Brothers Dairy, where he was in charge of ice cream production. In the 1970s, Murray purchased and ran the Pinecrest Cheese and Gift Shop on White Pines Road.
Murray was born July 19, 1918, in Buffalo Township in Ogle County, the son of Harry A. and Lenora (Travis) Newcomer. He married Dorothy L. Sargent of Kasbeer on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. He served in the Army during World War II. He was a cannoneer with the 717th Tank Battalion in the European theater of operation, and fought at the Battle of the Bulge in Germany.
Murray was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Dixon and the Rock River Grange, and a life member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Dixon Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed playing the guitar and mandolin in a small combo that played at square dances. Murray also enjoyed traveling to such places as Europe, Haiti, and Mexico, spending winters in Florida, playing bridge, and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Newcomer; two sons, Larry (Dianna) Newcomer and James (Jean) Newcomer; three grandchildren, Laura (Barry) Sutton, Randall Newcomer and Raymond (Georgia) Newcomer; six great-grandchildren, Brock and Gillian Sutton, and Kristofer, Kyle, Zachary, and Alexia Newcomer; and daughter-in-law, Ruth Newcomer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, William Newcomer; and two brothers, John and Arnold Newcomer.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Grace United Methodist Church with the Rev. Marilyn Nolan, pastor, officiating. Burial, with full military graveside services provided by the combined veterans organizations, will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon.
A memorial has been established to the Rochester Area Foundation.
Visit www.prestonschillingfuneralhome.com to send condolences.
