Ella Murphy Butler DOWNSVILLE — Ella Murphy Butler, 79, a longtime Downsville resident, passed away peacefully Friday morning, Oct. 8, 2004, at Countryside Care Center, Delhi, where she had been a resident since 1999. The daughter of Earl and Maude (Shultis) Shaver, she was born Sept. 8, 1925, in Shavertown. Twice widowed, her first husband, Sterling E. Murphy Sr., died in 1982 and her second husband, Milton Butler, whom she married in 1994, died in 1995. A Downsville resident from 1954 to 1999, Ella possessed a life-long passion for cooking, owning and operating Murphy’s Restaurant in earlier years, and later she was employed more than 20 years at the former Round-up Ranch Resort, until retirement. She was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and past-president of the church Altar Guild; a charter member and longtime president of Downsville Fire Department Auxiliary; and an avid bowler in Walton and Hancock leagues. Surviving are six children, Walter Murphy of Downsville, Sylvia (Steven) Reed of Hamden, Sterling (Sherrie) Murphy Jr. of Walton, Alfretta (Paul) Doig, James (Linda) Murphy, and Roy (Mary Lou) Murphy, all of Downsville; 37 grandchildren; 40 great- grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Arthur (Bonnie) Shaver of Downsville; a sister, Marie (Maurice "Mousie") Davis of Oneonta; two brothers-in-law, Bernard Davis of Florida, and Albert "Hick" Murphy Sr. of Walton; nine stepchildren from the Butler family; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by three brothers, Charles, Ralph and Louis Shaver, a sister, Bessie Davis, and two great-grandsons, Brandon Reed and Tyler Murphy. Friends are invited to attend graveside services at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 11, in the Shavertown Cemetery. The Rev. Steven Shaver, Ella’s nephew, will officiate. Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ella’s memory to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church or Downsville Fire Department Auxiliary will be appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to Robert A. Peet, Hall & Peet Funeral Home, Delhi.