Doris Jeanette (Dunakey) McMurtry, 88, of Sparta IL was born October 10, 1935, in Anaconda, MO as the daughter of Joseph and Viola (Dickson) Dunakey. Doris passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Three Springs Nursing Lodge in Chester IL.

Doris was a 1956 graduate of the Deaconess School of Nursing in St. Louis, MO.  Afterwards, she attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and received her BSN. After graduation, Doris spent over 50 years in passionate and devoted service as a nurse, nursing instructor, and hospital supervisor. Over the years, she practiced nursing in IL, MO, NM, and AZ before returning to Sparta, IL.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Viola (Dickson) Dunakey, siblings Vera (Dunakey) Silman, Frank Dunakey, Eldon Dunakey, Dan Dunakey, and Thomas Dunakey. She is survived by her sister, Rose (Dunakey) Poole of Little Rock, Arkansas, her beloved children Don McMurtry of Sparta, IL, Joseph (Robin) McMurtry of Sparta, IL, and Mary (Lynn) Wilcox of Pandora, OH and precious grandchildren Lance McMurtry of Sparta, IL and Bailey McMurtry of Belleville, IL.

She will be buried at the Stanton Cemetery, Stanton, MO in 2024. 

The family will communicate details as they become available next year. 

For those desiring, memorial contributions can be made to:

Deaconess Nurse Ministry

3159 Fee Fee Road, Suite 225

Saint Louis, Missouri  63044