Martha Murlene Cornell, 78, of Star City, passed away at 8:14 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 at Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.

She was born Oct. 22, 1937, in Star City, to Murl L. and Opal Arbutus Hatfield Crist.

Murlene married Henry Oscar Cornell on July 8, 1955, in the St. Peter Catholic Church Rectory in Winamac. Oscar died Sept. 27, 2000.

Murlene had worked as a telephone operator for the Star City Telephone Co. and the Barco Apple Orchard. She was also a custodian at the Star City Elementary and Eastern Pulaski Community Schools. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pulaski and the Christian Mother’s. Murlene was also a member of the Silver Sneakers. She enjoyed playing euchre, camping and baking. Murlene also enjoyed shopping with her daughters and traveling west to see her son and his family.

Murlene was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Survivors include: two daughters: Jean Ann (Tom) Fox, Star City, and Lisa (Larry) Barker, Winamac; one son: Bart (Cindy) Cornell, Billings, Mont.; six grandchildren: Shaun Fox, Mark (Michelle) Fox, Wesley (Crystal) Barker, Krystle (Todd) Shidler, Emily (Brandon) Daggy, and Melanie Cornell; five great-grandchildren: Wyatt Fox, Lucy Fox, Harleigh Shidler, Mayson Shidler, and Noah Cornell; and one brother: Jerry Crist, Wabash.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister: Virginia Carpenter; and brother Fred Crist.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pulaski, with Rev. Leroy Kinnaman officiating.

Burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery South, Pulaski,.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held Sunday at 4 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial Contributions may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Star City Fire Department