Mickey and Julie Murray

WELLMAN –  Julie and Mickey Murray “lived every day with passion,” family members say.

That passion, they added, touched countless other lives.

On Saturday, that fact manifested itself in an outpouring of community support as more than 1,000 people filled the chairs, bleachers, and back wall of the Mid-Prairie High School gymnasium to honor the couple.

Julie, 46, and Mickey, 47, died Feb. 4 in a one-vehicle accident  outside Tiffin.

The “Celebration of Life” service lasted nearly two hours Saturday, filled with Christian worship songs, heartfelt memories, and a slideshow of family photos.

Mickey, a co-pastor at Kalona Mennonite Church, and Julie, a substitute associate at Mid-Prairie High School, had four children, ages 14 to 20.

Nicole Murray, 18, was supported by the embrace of her two sisters as she described her parents’ life together. The couple married during their junior year of college at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

“Though not without its struggles, everyone who saw their marriage saw it was beautiful,” she said.

She spoke for the three girls as she recalled her father’s “adventurous and spontaneous” spirit, as well as his wisdom.

“We will forever cherish how special and beautiful [he] made us feel,” Nicole said.

Nicole, who was in the vehicle with her parents during the accident, also spoke of her mother’s practical advice and “listening ear.”

“We will never forget your smiles and laughter, your hugs and support at every up and down,” she said.

Mickey and Julie were driving to their son Chase’s wrestling competition when the accident occurred.  Chase said his mom had texted him words of encouragement before they left that morning.

Chase told the crowd his father was a friend, hunting buddy, and “wrestling practice dummy,” while his mom was “caring and tenderhearted.”

“They were slow to anger and kept no record of wrongs,” the high school student said. “…They would never judge anyone, so that’s why they got along with everyone.”

Stories shared about the couple included everything from Mickey’s humorous hunting trip mishaps to memories of sharing grilled cheese sandwiches with Julie.

In addition to the service acting as a chance to memorialize their parents, family members said it was an opportunity to share their faith.

“Mick and Julie are the kind of people that if someone could be touched here at their funeral service, if someone could be brought to God today, that would be the ultimate,” said Mickey’s nephew, Trent Smoll, of Greenfield, Ind.

According to Smoll, the two were “awesome parents” to the children, and so much more.

“To sum it up, their parents were leaders,” he said.