Double Rites Scheduled For Crash Victims

Double funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for Miss Geneva J. Smithe, 77, of 1706 South Blvd., and Mrs. E. James (Mary) Murphy of 2015 Crestland who were killed Saturday in an automobile accident on Long Lake Rd. in northern Oakland County.
The two women died when an automobile driven by Miss Smithe collided head-on with another car.
Miss Smithe was on the University's staff for 29 years until her retirement in 1956. She was first appointed secretary of the U-M Literary College zoology department in 1924, later becoming secretary to former President Alexander G. Ruthven when he was director of the U-M Museum of Zoology. When Dr. Ruthven was named president of the University she became general secretary of the Museum.
She had been secretary of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church since 1957. She was a past president of the Altar Society of the church and was a member of the third Order of St. Francis.
Miss Smithe was born March 19, 1891, in Ypsilanti, a daughter of George C. and Stella Wyatt Smithe. There are no known survivors.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Highland Cemetery in Ypsilanti.
Mrs. Murphy was active in the work of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and was president of the Auxiliary for Social Services. She was past president of the Altar Society.
She and E. James Murphy were married July 5, 1945. He survives. Other survivors include a son John, and two daughters, Cecelia and Lisa, all at home; a sister, Miss Virginia Sullivan of Dexter, and a brother, Charles Sullivan of Chelsea.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chelsea. Memorial contributions may be made to the Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County.
The Rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. today at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel for both Miss Smithe and Mrs. Murphy. Friends may call at the chapel.