Murphy, Michael William

Michael William Murphy, 62, of Marion, died Sunday, March 27, 2011, at Hallmark Care Center, Mount Vernon. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 31, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, by the Rev. Rodney Allers. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Private Family Burial: Greenwood Cemetery, Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughter, Sandra Murphy of Marion; two sons, John (Sarah) Murphy of Ankeny, and Mark Murphy of Rome, Italy; brother, Tom Murphy; three sisters, Pat Murphy, Mary Murphy and Julie Friis, all of Cedar Falls; three grandchildren, Madeleine, Emily and Max; and nieces and nephews, Megan Murphy, Keith Murphy, Ryan O'Leary, Holly Newmen, J.J. Friis and Jamie Friis.

Mike was born Feb. 16, 1949, in Cedar Falls, the son of Kenneth and Frances (Smith) Murphy. He graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1967, where he was named to the All-State football team. He went on to graduate in 1972, from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering. On March 18, 1972, he married Mary O'Leary in Waterloo, Iowa. He worked for DC Taylor Company from 1978 to 1996.

Mike had a generous, joyful and fun-loving spirit. He greatly enjoyed coaching football at St. Joseph Catholic School. His many passions include being a loyal fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, following local sports, fishing, exercising and walking.

He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Catholic Worker House

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Mike at .