Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1954
DIED
2014
FUNERAL HOME
Michael Murphy Obituary
Michael Edward Murphy, 60, of Clinton, died unexpectedly Sunday, September 21, 2014.
Born on May 23, 1954 in Ipswich, England to the late Edward and Violet (Griffin) Murphy, he was a lifetime resident of the area and a proud graduate of Northwest High School, Class of 1973; where he was senior class president and excelled in sports and band. December 2013 marked his 40th anniversary as a member of Local 18, Operating Engineers. Mike worked as a crane operator for 33 years with H. A. Selinsky Inc. and most recently for Capital City Group. In recent years he was known for and enjoyed playing Santa Claus. Mike was community minded and in particular worked on community dinners, passage of fire levies and was a member of the Clinton Cemetery Association.
Mike is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Linda (Beaber) Murphy; son, Christopher Murphy; brothers, Bob (Karen) Murphy of Massillon, Jim (Rose) Murphy of Salem; sister, Mary Murphy of San Diego, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law, Betty Beaber.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held THURSDAY, September 25, 2014, 10 a.m. at SS. Philip and James Catholic Church, 412 High St. North, Canal Fulton, Fr. Kevin McCaffrey celebrant. Burial at Clinton Cemetery. Family and friends may call WEDNESDAY, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Swigart-Easterling Funeral Home, 624 E. Cherry St. (Rt. 93), Canal Fulton. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to a charity of your choice. www.swigarteasterlingfuneralhome.com. (Swigart-Easterling, 330-854-2356)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Murphy
Sponsored by Akron Beacon Journal.
Deborah McMillin
September 17, 2019
Remembering Mike today. What a great guy! Mike, you are greatly missed!
Mary & Dan Nettle
November 30, 2014
Dear Linda: We were so very sorry to hear about the passing of Mike. We no longer live in Canal Fulton and just recently heard of your loss. God Bless.
Dottie Frey
October 6, 2014
Everyone loved Mike. He never met a stranger. Mr. Santa made wonderful memories for our family. He did everything in a "grand" way. We will treasure our memories of him. Linda, you two made the perfect couple. May God wrap his arms around at this difficult time. With Sympathy, Brent and Dottie
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Tammy English
October 5, 2014
Mary and Bob so sorry for your loss I know it is hard to loose a sibling. We all have such great memories of Mike. Through school, band and his days of being Santa. He has certainly touched a lot of lives. His smile and his laugh was contagious. We will truly miss him. Your families are in my thoughts and prayers.
Debbie Dies (Dittmer)
October 3, 2014
Linda,
So sorry to hear of your loss. It's been a long time since our high school days. After seeing his picture, I think there's a new santa in heaven playing a drum.
Jill Manda
October 1, 2014
I have great memories of the fun we had in band at Northwest. Those drummers were devious and fun-loving. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
October 1, 2014
Dear Mary and family,
Don't know if you remember us or not, but we met you in 1977 when you dated my brother (Geoff Ketler)for a brief time. Our children still remember you. We wanted to send our thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this time of sorrow. May God help you through the next days and weeks ahead. Keep fond memories close at hand to help you. Sincerely,
Dave and Georgia (Ketler) Clapper
Phyllis Mayberry
September 25, 2014
Linda, my thoughts and prayers go out to you during these very sad times it is so very hard when you have lost your soul mate , just know god will help you through this and you will always have your wonderful memories ??
Alice Wagner
September 25, 2014
Linda, I am so sorry to hear of Mike's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Luke & Kenny Mitchell
September 25, 2014
My condolences to the Murphy family. Mike was one those people with a wonderful soul & heart. Our thoughts and prayers our with your family. Mary..Hugs and prayers to you in this time of loss.
September 25, 2014
Dear Linda and family: My heart is with you as you say goodbye to your sweetheart, Michael, aka Santa Claus. His was a sweet spirit. I am glad I got the chance to see you both at our 40th class reunion. May God surround you with love through family and friends and may the many memories you have sustain you ... in time.
Suzanne Woodford Gibson
Margie Robinson, Tackett
September 25, 2014
Linda, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. What a shock. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family during this difficult time. May God watch over you and comfort you.
Beth Justice
September 25, 2014
My sincere sympathy to Linda, Christopher and family. I worked with Mike for many years at H.A. Selinsky and am sorry to hear of his sudden passing.
Gregg McAllise
September 24, 2014
I am saddened to hear of the loss of such a wonderful person. Mike was one of the first people welcomiming me to Northwest HS and I will always remember him fondly. My prayers go to the entire family.
Tish (Pat) McAllise
September 24, 2014
So sad to hear. Mike was one of those bigger than life kinda guys (especially when I was a freshman!) He shared that Murphy smile and love of laughing. So sorry that you lost him so early. Love to you all. Mary, thinking of you.
Bruce Jacobs
September 24, 2014
My condolences to the Murphy family. I am saddened to hear of your loss. Another wonderful man taken too early. May you somehow find peace and comfort in the memory of his well lived life, and what a truly great, kind, caring man he was.
robin wall/ rymer
September 24, 2014
linda mary so sorry for your loss mike was a good guy, I remember the good time we had in band
Kurt von Blanckensee
September 24, 2014
I'll never forget all the fun times I had in band with Mike during my freshman year. He was so funny and unpredictable! He made it one of my favorite classes ever!
September 24, 2014
Linda,
So sorry for your loss. Our Grandson's first experience with Santa was Mike's lap. His compassion for children was truly a gift. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Al & Carol Knack
Tammy English
September 24, 2014
Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. You and Mike were soul mates. He was such a kind man. My heart goes out to you and his family. I know God has his arms around you all. I am praying for you.
terry wicker
September 24, 2014
sorry to hear about him was good man god bell u
Dawn Richardson-Ake
September 24, 2014
Mary, Praying for your family in the sudden lost of Mike. It's so hard to put my thoughts into words to help give you comfort but just know that I will be praying for your family.
Lori McBee Foster
September 23, 2014
Oh, Linda! It just seems like yesterday Mike was fixing his orange car in the garage and then driving up to your house. He was a wonderful man and I am so happy you had 17 wonderful years of marriage with him. I like to think he's playing his drum in heaven! Love to you and your family.
Fain Loury
September 23, 2014
Linda; My sincerest condolences on your loss.
Nancy Cottle
September 23, 2014
Linda,
I'm so very sorry to learn of Mike's passing. I enjoyed talking to him at the Apple Fest several years ago. Praying that you find comfort in your very special memories in the days ahead and may God bless and keep you always.
Sincerely,
Kitty Blend
September 23, 2014
Linda, so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart is with you at this time. We at Shearers Outlet store , the customers and children will sure miss him as our Santa.such a kind soul.Love to you at this time, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda Fisk
September 23, 2014
Linda,
I was so sad to read that Mike had passed away. May God wrap his arms round you and your family and comfort you in your time of need. My family and I will always remember Stanta Claus and the joy and smiles he has brought us at Christmas time. God Bless you Linda.
Don, Kathy, Donnie and Brian Carnes
September 23, 2014
Linda, We are so sorry to hear about Mike. Our thoughts and prayers to you and the family.
Darci Knack
September 23, 2014
My nephew thought it was the coolest thing ever that his Grandpa knew Santa! We were all blessed to know him. May God watch over you and your family during these sad times.
September 23, 2014
Linda Our thoughts a prayers are with you and your family. I was so happy for you when you two reconnected I always thought you guys were meant to be together. Debbie Siegenthaler Lewis
September 23, 2014
Linda,My Thoughts And Prayers Are With You And The Familys.Spanky
Debbie Shields-McMillin
September 23, 2014
Linda, I am so very sorry for your loss. Mike was such a fun guy. But my memories of you and Mike during band, looking across the room at each other during special songs, are something that have stuck with me, even after all of these years. You were meant to be together and I'm so happy you had 17 years. I am thinking of you and praying for your peace.
Nancy Leffler
September 23, 2014
Linda ..Shocked to see this news re: Mike. Big hug to you, my friend. Think of all the wonderful times you and Mike shared. Sincere sympathy. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Katie Gauze
September 23, 2014
Prayers for everyone who was touched by this amazing man! What a blessing to have him in our lives! His passion for making people happy was contagious! Linda, our thoughts and prayers are with you!
September 23, 2014
So sorry for your loss Mike will always be remembered as Santa, He was a kind and hard working man. It was a pleasure to have known him John and Cheryl
Tom and Lori Coffman
September 23, 2014
Linda and family, so sorry for your loss.
Brad and Cindi Nettle
September 23, 2014
Linda,
So sorry for you loss. I enjoyed my many talks with Mike and enjoyed being your neighbor for many years.
Showing 1 - 38 of 38 results
Make a Donation
in Michael Murphy's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Michael Murphy
Sep
24
Calling hours
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Swigart Easterling Funeral Home - Canal Fulton624 Cherry Street East, Canal Fulton, OH 44614
Funeral services provided by:
Swigart Easterling Funeral Home - Canal Fulton624 Cherry Street East, Canal Fulton, OH 44614
How to support Michael's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Michael Murphy's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
