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Keith Murphy Obituary
Keith Joseph Murphy, age 85, passed away on Saturday September 8, 2012, at his home with his family.
Keith was born in Fairbury, Neb., on August 30, 1927, to Joseph and Lena (Hock) Murphy, and moved to Council Bluffs, when Keith was in the 7th grade. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in 1945 and shortly after graduation joined the US Navy where he served until 1947. On February 18, 1950, Keith was united in marriage to Helen Tierney and to this union Molly, Jim, Nancy and Peggy were born. Keith worked for the Rock Island Railroad for over 30 years where he served as the Chief Clerk. He also worked and bartended at the American Legion, Red Lion and 64 Club.
Keith served two terms as Commander of the American Legion and served on their Honor Guard for many years and also as their Chaplain. A member of St. Peters Church and an avid Notre Dame and New York Yankee fan, bowler, and most of all, Keith loved his family and St. Albert's.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lena Murphy; and sister, JoAnn Thomas.
Keith leaves to mourn his wife of 62 years, Helen; daughter, Molly (Clark Schroeder) Kuehl; son, Jim (Cindy) Murphy; daughters, Nancy (Mick) Mickey, all Council Bluffs, Peggy (Darrell) Mass, of Crescent, Iowa; seven grandsons, three granddaughters, nine great grandchildren; brother, Francis (Bud) Murphy, of Treynor; sister-in-law, Ann Blackburn, of Council Bluffs; many nieces and nephews.
Christian Wake Service Wednesday, 6 p.m., followed by visitation until 8 p.m., at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Bayliss Park Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, 10 a.m., at St. Peter's Church. Father Chuck Kottas, Celebrant. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 2. Luncheon will follow at Chuck Kottas Hall at St. Peters. Family has suggested memorials to St. Peters and St. Albert's.
This obituary was originally published in The Daily Nonpareil.
Memories and Condolences
for Keith Murphy
Bill & Mary Null
September 17, 2012
Our prayers to helen and family. Keith was one of a kind, with that smile, laugh and optimism he always displayed. He will be missed but never forgotten in the true great memories of life.
Michael Kuehl
September 15, 2012
To Helen Murphy and all of the family. I just found out that Keith has passed and am very sad for your loss. There is never a "best" time to lose a loved one. I offer our sincere condolences for my family and I as well as my Mother Iris J. Kuehl. Take care Michael L. Kuehl
Andrew and Diane
Andrew Treantos
September 13, 2012
Jim and family,
I'm sorry for your loss; I know this can be a difficult time. You're in my thoughts and prayers.
September 12, 2012
Molly & family. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. My mom said that she and my dad had a lot of fun with your folks over the years. May God comfort you in the days to come.
Denise (VanScoy) Walden
Kathy Sherman - Batie
September 12, 2012
Peggy, Nancy & Murphy Family, Very sorry for your loss.
Peggy Beezley
September 12, 2012
Helen, Peggy & family: I was saddened to read of Keith's passing. I am not able to attend the services as I am out of town. Keith was a sweetheart, loved by young and old and will be remembered fondly by everyone. My prayers are with you at this sad time.
September 12, 2012
To the entire family of Keith Murphy, I was so saddened to hear of his passing. Keith has a very special place in my heart! I will forever remember he and Helen at every boys basketball game, whether he was cheering for his son Jim, for myself, for my son, Quinn, or any of the hundreds of youung men who played basketball "for them"!! My prayers go out to all of Keith's family!
David Walsh
Dotty Mass
September 11, 2012
Dear Peggy & Family,
I was saddened to hear about the death of your Dad. Please know that my thoughts & prayers go out to all your Family. He was a very special person & always made me feel so welcome at Family gatherings.
September 11, 2012
Helen,Jim and the Murphy Family, ....I was so sorry to read of Keiths passing...When I first went to work for the Rock Island he "broke me in" on the PICL job he was working....He had the patience of a Saint, because when I first started my RR career I knew nothing and as he "broke me in" I gave him plenty of opportunity to lose his cool, but he never did.
After the Rock Island folded and 7 yrs. away from the RR he "resurrected" my Career bringing me to work at the IAIS and for that I will always be thankful. It was my chance to get back to Railroading and a career that has always been very good to me and my family... God Bless him and All his family.
Craig Miller
Dick and Celie Cairney
September 11, 2012
Helen and Family,
So many great memories of you and Keith in our years on the Rock Island and the Iowa Interstate Railroads. We enjoyed many good laughs and times spent together some at work, some at the Legion and some at the 64 Club and lets not forget bowling and golf. Sorry to hear of Keith's passing. He was a great guy and a good friend. Our love and sympathy.
Dave & Laura Croonquist
September 11, 2012
Jim, Cindy & Family:
Heartfelt condolences at the passing of the Murphy patriarch. Take comfort in knowing his spirit is eternal; he's truly home now.
Dewey and Sharon D'Ercole
September 11, 2012
Helen and family, what a shock to hear of Keith's passing. Dewey wanted to let you know that he is sorry he couldn't make it to the mortuary because of health reason. He often talked of Keith and what a wonderful person he was. He loved working with him at the 64 Club. Eric, you had a wonderful grandfather and we often talk about the times you took care of Dewey in ICU. Keith will be missed, but he added so much to all the lives he touched. May God comfort you at this time.
GO IRISH
Dewey and Sharon D'Ercole
Dennis and Jane Hough
September 11, 2012
Helen, Nanc, Peggy and the entire Murphy Family, Wow where do I start, what a man Keith was, always happy and always a pleasure to be around as all of you are. He will be greatly missed and there will never be another Mr. Keith Murphy.
Dan & Pam Burgess
September 11, 2012
Jim, Cyndi Murphy and Family,
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
You are in our Prayers and thoughts
Connie Jo Podendorf
September 11, 2012
Helen and family, I am sorry for your loss, God bless and comfort you. Keith's smile and kindness will live on in our hearts, he was a sweatheart!
September 11, 2012
To the entire Murphy Family we would like to say how sorry we are to hear of Uncle Keith's death...we love you all and you are in our thoughts and prayers..Joeleen, Danny and Juliet, Theresa and Richard, Anne and Lori
Virg & Jan Steenbock
September 11, 2012
Helen, so sorry to hear of Keith's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. May your hearts soon be filled with wonerful memories of joyful time together as you celebrate a life well lived. We are so glad to have know Keith.
Irene& Vic Schlautman
September 11, 2012
We Wish to extend our sympathy to Helen and her family You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
September 11, 2012
To Jim and Cindy and the entire family. We are saddened to hear of Keith's passing. What a great man. Anytime I ever talked with him he treated you like family and was always interested in knowing how things were going for you and your family. You didn't need to be around him very long to feel his passion for sports and genuine interest in others as they were making their way through their own athletic endeavors, a true sportsman! His love and support for his family was obvious when you'd look in the bleachers and there was Keith and Helen, cheering and encouraging. He is a great example of fatherhood. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, provide you strength.
Mike, Judy, Lauren (Lucas Barnett) and Nolan Webster
Brenda & Mark Flores
September 11, 2012
Peggy , Jim and the Murphy family,
I'm sure your dad is safe in the arms of Jesus and being thanked for being a faithful servant. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark Hungerford
September 11, 2012
To the Murphy Family. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Everytime that I saw Mr Murphy, he had smile on his face and he always treated as one of the family. He will be missed. God bless and the family.
Patty Doyle
September 10, 2012
Dear Jim and Family: We hold you in prayers of comfort during this sad time. So sorry for your loss.
Patty and David Goett
September 10, 2012
Keith was a great guy!!! The entire Regan family loved him!! Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
Sincerely, Steve & Jean
David Walsh
September 10, 2012
I really don't know where to start!! Keith could have said "My son was on the 1st State Basketball Championship Team every at S.A." and could have walked away proud as anyone!!! But what I remember is "I had to tell him I wasn't going to play my Sr.Yr.! He urged me to play, he said "you can play and you're damn good"!! It's not that I ignored him, but I didn't play. This man made me the PROUDEST PARENT when he WATCHED and PROUDLY told me: "You have a GREAT son and a GREAT BASKETBALL PLAYER (my son's was Quinn Walsh and graduate in 2006 and Keith and Helen were still watching S.A. Basketball!!!! To the family, my deepest condolences...I will so miss Keith, his humor but most of all...his LOVE of S.A. BASKETBALL!!!! please R.I.P.
Bill Fead
September 10, 2012
Thanks for your Military Service to our Country.
Past Commander V.F.W.
EILEEN TAYLOR
September 10, 2012
my prayer are with you HELEN and your family.
Kathy Clark
September 10, 2012
Molly, we are both so sorry for the loss of your dad. Our prayers and thoughts are will you and Clark.
LeRoy & Sheryl Lester
September 10, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bill Helms
September 10, 2012
To Auntie Helen and the Murphy Clan,
I'm sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bill & Joanne Pettit
September 10, 2012
You are in our thoughts & prayers....
Mary Tierney
September 10, 2012
To Helen and family. I'm so sorry to learn of Kieth's death. We all have so many wonderful times and tales to remember. Keith was a joy and will be sadly missed by his family and friends. May your wonderful memories of this kind man help to ease your sorrow.
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Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home and Crematory545 Willow Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
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