Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1932
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
Earl Murphy Obituary
Memorial services will be held next spring to be announced. For updates of the services and or to share a condolence with Woody's family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.
Earl Woodston Murphy Jr. was born May 8, 1932, in Macomb, Ill., son of Earl Woodston Murphy Sr. and Mary (Yost) Murphy. His family moved to the Fort Madison area where he attended school, graduating with the Class of 1950. He married Janet D. Faeth July, 26, 1950, in Fort Madison, where they lived and raised their sons. During this time, he worked at IAAP in Middletown. Woody and Janet then moved to Tulsa, Okla. where he was involved with gotel management until his retirement. Following the death of his wife in 2009, Woody moved to Iowa City in 2015, to be near his son and his wife. Here Woody met and eventually married Martha "Marty" Ferguson Goodwin, a longtime friend from elementary school, on Jan, 15, 2017. He and Marty enjoyed a lot of life in the years they were married: travels, jigsaw puzzles, countless stories shared about family and friends and a strong Christian faith between them, just to name a few. Of course, Woody had many individual characteristics that made him Woody! He loved athletics ever since his days of participating in them in school. He competed in football, basketball, and track. Later on, he coached and refereed. Woody supported most anything sports!
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Fort Madison, Congregational United Church of Christ in Tulsa, and St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. He was also a 70 plus year member of the Masonic Lodge wherever he was living.
Woody's family includes his wife, Marty; sons Steve Murphy (Shirley) and Kevin Murphy; grandson Tim Murphy (Angela Pechmann); and all of Marty's family which includes six daughters: Sharon Fogleman (Lynn), Teresa Espy (Larry), Linda Bissell (Hatta), Kris Lucas (Fred), Pat Goodwin, and Pam Bahmandeji (Hooman); 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Woody was preceded in death by his parents, wife Janet, and brother Lee Murphy.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Earl Murphy
Sponsored by Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Earl Murphy's name
Memorial Events
for Earl Murphy
Funeral services provided by:
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service - Iowa City2720 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52240
How to support Earl's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
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 moreResources 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 Earl 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
