Barbara Lorine Fiscus Murfin, born in Patoka, Illinois, was taken from us on Friday, January 21, 2022, at Central Florida Regional Hospital following a tragic head-on vehicle accident on Friday, January 14, in Sanford, Florida. Barbara was known for saying, “Life can change in an instant,” and for her and those who loved her – it has. Her husband, Mark Alden Murfin Sr., and son Brian Lee Murfin were also injured in the accident in Florida.
Barbara’s family is hosting a celebration of her life on May 26th from five to nine pm at Walkers Bluff Resort.
She is predeceased by her parents, Cecil Edgar and Alice Irene Beckler Fiscus of Patoka, Illinois, and an infant son, Dennis Michael Murfin.
Barbara’s true love was her husband, Mark, whom she met for the first time at a roller-skating rink in Vandalia, Illinois. Mark noticed Barbara struggling on wheels, and he offered to help steady her while demonstrating some fancy footwork. By the end of the evening, it was smooth sailing for both, and love at first sight. Mark and Barbara married in Patoka, Illinois in a double-ring ceremony with their close friends, James and Flora Houston Payne. They were the love story that so many others seek.
The young newlyweds began married life in Vandalia, Illinois, and soon welcomed two daughters. They relocated to Herrin for her husband, Mark, to attend Southern Illinois University, where Barbara was a full-time homemaker and mother, and where baby Dennis was born. Mark and Barbara moved with their daughters to Federal Way, Washington, and there, welcomed two sons. With the space race emerging, they transferred across the country to Titusville, Florida – Space Capital of the World – with her husband’s new position at Cape Kennedy, allowing Barbara and the family to have a front-row seat in the Apollo space missions to the moon.
While in Florida, Barbara attended Brevard Community College in Cocoa, earning her nursing degree. She began her nursing career at Jess Parrish Memorial Hospital in Titusville, Florida. The Murfin’ency Room Registered Nurse at Marion Memorial Hospital. She excelled in her career, gaining her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, along with Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Trauma
Nurse Certifications. In the daily uncertainty of the Emergency Room, Barb – to her coworkers – was the calm in the craziness. She was sensitive to the patients and empathetic to their families, remaining focused and situationally aware while directing the care. She retired from Heartland Regional Medical Center in 2004.
Barbara’s gifts of caring were well-known beyond her clinical work as a nurse. She was deeply devoted to her family and a friend to all, a great listener and natural peacemaker, and someone who purposefully focused on the bright spot in all aspects of life. She was a devoted fan of the Oak Ridge Boys, and with Mark, traveled often to see them in concert and at their homesite in Tennessee. She delighted in her dachshunds and is survived by her beloved pet companion, Sophia. Barbara was a gifted gardener and enjoyed seeing her hydrangeas bloom vividly each year. Barbara loved spending August vacations on Dale Hollow Lake in Tennessee with large family gatherings on a houseboat. She learned to jet-ski, helped with large grilled dinners, enjoying bonfires and fun under the stars. During her retirement with her husband, Mark, she also enjoyed extensive travel and more than a decade of snowbirding, returning annually to Seasons in the Sun RV Park in Mims, Florida, close to their former home in Titusville. Barbara treasured the enduring friendships she made with her special friends and neighbors at the RV park, and the many events and activities they attended.
In addition to her devoted husband, Mark, she is mourned by her four surviving children: Kimberly Ann Murfin Cole (and John Reeve) of Makanda, Illinois; Keila Jo Murfin Rader of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Dr. Mark Alden Murfin Jr (and Brenda) of Vernon, Illinois; and Brian
Lee Murfin of Alpharetta, Georgia. Barbara is survived by her brothers: Don Fiscus (and Patty) of Cape Coral, Florida, and Kendell Fiscus (and Tracy) of Patoka, Illinois; sister-in-law, Donna Murfin Crotser of Vandalia, Illinois; nine grandchildren: Christina, Christopher, Mark Aaron, Lauren, Mark Alden III, Dane, Michael, Bettina, and Rachel; 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, three nieces, one nephew, and numerous cousins. She is also survived by her dear cousins FloAnn and Keith Klukis of Oviedo, Florida; lifelong friend Flora Houston Payne Cain of Vernon, Illinois; dear friends Becky and David Busby of Mt Vernon, Illinois; and a host of beloved friends.
Corinthians 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.
