Dennis Harvey Murphy Sr.

Dennis Harvey Murphy Sr., 79, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, at HCA Florida Osceola Hospital in Kissimmee, Florida.

He was born Aug. 13, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois, to Warren F. and Evelyn (Schultz) Murphy.

Dennis attended Parochial Elementary School and graduated from Maine Township High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, and from North Park College in Chicago with a degree in accounting. Dennis worked for VW in sales for several years and worked for several van conversion companies in sales, including Lorain Motor Coach, StarCraft and Tiara.

After moving to Indiana from Atlanta he met the love of his life, Gail Cottingham, a love that has endured for 35 years. When van conversions started to slow down, he got into RV sales with several companies in Elkhart County including R-Vision and Campers Inn. After retiring and disliking the cold winters of Indiana he decided to become a snowbird. Dennis and Gail purchased a home in Haines City, Florida, on a golf course eight years ago and he enjoyed many rounds of golf until his health prevented it. He was able to reach the most important goal he had, which was to become the only Murphy male to reach 79 years of age.

Dennis is survived by his loving companion of 35 years, Gail Cottingham; his son, Dennis H. Murphy Jr., his niece, Sandra Jackson and nephew Mick Murphy; and his great-nieces and great-nephew, Taylor (Jordan) Eskitgis, Delaney Joncek, Devon Nelson and Jake Murphy. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Susan (Bobby) Scott, Chris Ritchie, Don (Mindy) Cottingham; and eight step grandchildren, Briana, Jennifer, Kayla, Ekaterina, J.D., Don III, Eric and Brian. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Chris Murphy, and a son, Gregory T. Murphy, and his brother, Warren F. Murphy Jr.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home, 700 E. Jackson Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46516. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. (CST) at Ridgewood Memorial Park Cemetery, 9900 Milwaukee Ave., Des Plaines, Illinois, on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of the donor's choice.