Murphy, Mark Donald

Mark Donald Murphy, 57, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at his home. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. Graveside Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Buckingham Cemetery, Traer.

Survivors include his fiancee, Marla Allison of Hiawatha; parents, Dennis and Charlotte Murphy of Wheaton, Ill.; brother, Craig (Mary Maxson) Murphy of Machensey Park, Ill.; sister, Jeanine (Christopher) Downing of Chicago; nieces and nephews, Katie, Alena and William; aunts and uncles, Howard (Dorothy) McLean of Dubuque, Jim (Ramona) Snow of Traer and David (Barbara) Vanicek of California; a special friend, Joshua Schmidt; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Dorothy Vanicek.

Mark was born Jan. 6, 1956, in Chicago, the son of Dennis and Charlotte (Vanicek) Murphy. He graduated from Wheaton (Illinois) Central High School in 1974 and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in 1978 from Drake University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mark worked for Farmland Mutual in Des Moines.

He enjoyed reading and was particularly interested in history and political science. He also loved traveling, visiting many countries; enjoyed writing, and loved cats.

Memorials may be directed to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Organ Transplant Center, c/o University of Iowa Foundation, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244, in Mark's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Mark at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published March 1, 2013 in The Gazette