ERIE -- Murle Elizabeth Eggen, 95, of Erie, died at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, July 25, 2002, at Arkhaven Nursing Home at Erie. She was in failing health.

She was born Nov. 10, 1906, at Walnut to George H. and Rosabelle (Squires) Beech.

She grew up on a farm at Walnut and was raised in the Walnut area. After graduating from Walnut High School in 1924, she taught school at Mound Valley country school. She owned and operated the Stark Cafe with her husband from 1962 to 1970. She also helped her husband farm.

On May 10, 1927, she married John R. Eggen at Erie. He preceded her in death on Nov. 7, 1972.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church at Erie, and was a former member of the Stark United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Grant Extension Unit.

Survivors include five sons, John W. Eggen of Lancaster, Texas, Kenneth L. Eggen of Security, Colo., Leonard Dean Eggen of Clearwater, Fla., Dale E. Eggen of Arkansas City, and Keith J. Eggen of Platte City, Mo.; two daughters, Nancy C. Westhoff of Stark and Mildred S. Ludlum of Erie; one brother, George "Mutt" Beech of Chanute; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother, James Beech; four sisters, Edna Madl, Elsie Little, Maude Conrad, and Lucille Zaman; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Stark United Methodist Church with the Rev. Pauline Clugston and the Rev. Tim McCoy officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home at Erie, where friends may call after 1 p.m. Sunday.

Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce-Carson-Wall Funeral Home.