Submitted by: Dan Rich

Brother Simon Murren, CSC

June 21, 1921 - Nov. 30, 1997

South Bend Tribune 12/2/1997

SOUTH BEND - Brother Simon A. Murren, C.S.C., 76, died after a short illness on Sunday, Nov. 30, at St. Joseph Medical Center, South Bend, Ind.

He was born in McSherrystown, Pa., on June 21, 1921, the son of Edward and Rose Myers Murren, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Francis; and by a sister, Elizabeth.

He is survived by five sisters in Pennsylvania, Carrie Frederick of Altoona, Stella Wildasin of Hanover, Bertha Bowman of McSherrystown, Mary Grace Ennis of Gardners and Teresa Murren of McSherrystown.

Br. Simon entered Holy Cross at St. Joseph Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, Ind., on Feb. 1, 1950. He made his first profession of vows on Feb. 2, 1951, and his perpetual profession on Aug. 16, 1954.

A farmer by trade, Br. Simon spent most of his active life in that work, first at Silver Lake Farm, Rolling Prairie, St. Joseph Juniorate farm, Valatie, N.Y., St. Joseph Farm, Granger, Ind., and again during two other periods at Silver Lake Farm.

From 1966 to 1980 he was in charge of vehicle maintenance and repair at the Holy Cross Brothers Center, Notre Dame, and for the past 10 years helped maintain his Notre Dame campus residence, Columba Hall.

Br. Simon followed many interests avidly. He had great respect for the Amish, and spent time over the years visiting or hosting Amish friends. He taught C.C.D. classes at St. Stanislaus Church in South Bend, assisted regularly at Notre Dame women's basketball games and practices and, over the years, played a very credible Santa Claus, mostly for the Holy Cross sisters, priests and brothers in infirmaries around Notre Dame.

His life was always motivated by his commitment to prayer and service to his brothers in Holy Cross, as well as to all those he touched through his good-natured generosity.

Viewing will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Chapel in the Holy Cross Brothers Center, with a Mass of the Resurrection celebrated the same evening at 7:30 p.m. Burial will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday in St. Joseph Cemetery at the Brothers Center.

The Hickey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.