Viola E. (Drake) Murray
MILLERSBURG • Viola E. (Drake) Murray, 90, formerly of Millersburg, passed away July 9, 2020, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Viola (known as Vi or Sue by some) was born Aug. 27, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pa., to William Francis and Susan Wetzel (Bates) Drake. Viola grew up in Harrisburg, Pa.; lived her married years in Millersburg, Pa. (at 568 Race St.) and enjoyed her later years near family in Palm Beach County, Fla. Viola was preceded in death by her parents; her former spouses, William Walter Blasser and Jack Leroy Murray, both of Millersburg, Pa.; her brother, Francis James Drake; a sister, Helen Drake; a niece, Carol Lynn Drake; and a daughter-in-law, Rosa Maria (Rivera-Rivas) Blasser. Viola is survived by her three children, Gary Steven Blasser (Regina) of Annandale, Va., Joan Susan (Blasser) Purdy (Michael) of Lake Clarke Shores, Fla., and Pam Maureen (Blasser) Zmistowski (Joel) of Lake Worth, Fla. Also, she is survived by a sister, Doris Louise (Drake) Leitzel of Sinking Spring, Pa.; three nieces, Donna Marie Leitzel, Linda Kay (Leitzel) Mitzel (Gary), and Suszanne Marie (Drake) Walker (Robert); five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Viola was a graduate of Harrisburg’s William Penn High School (Class of 1947). She valued family and friends, and she appreciated people. She was hard-working and optimistic. A memorial service in her honor will be held at a future date. Viola’s ashes will be inurned at Oak Hill Cemetery in Millersburg. Paid by Gary Blasser
