Martha H. Murphy, 88, of Lewistown died July 17, 2019, at Richard L. Owens Hospice House in Peoria.Martha H. Murphy, 88, of Lewistown died July 17, 2019, at Richard L. Owens Hospice House in Peoria.
She was born in Lakewood, Ohio, on Jan. 9, 1931, a daughter of Walter and Virginia Quallich. She married Edward Murphy in 1952.
Surviving are six children, Timothy (and Marcy) Murphy of Moline; June Behles of Des Plaines, Ill.; Linda (and John Vinzant) Murphy of Gary, Ind.; Daniel (and Theresa) Murphy of Davenport, Iowa; Kathleen (and Roger) Arnett of Lewistown and Brian Murphy of Monterey; two sisters, Virginia (Ginny) Case and Margaret (Peggy) Flynn; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Nancy Shipman.
She was an accomplished classical musician and singer. She played cello, piano and harp. Upon high school graduation, she enrolled in the School of Music at the University of Illinois and graduated in 1953.
In 1953, she and her husband moved to Lewistown. Upon settling, she briefly taught music while she and Doc Murphy established a veterinary practice.
She still found time to sing with the “Mother Singers” who performed in the community. Later, along with Frances Jeppeson and Judy Pereboom she performed with the Lewistown Municipal String Trio. In her later years, she played piano and organ in support of the choir in Lewistown Catholic Church. Throughout the years, she also privately taught a large number of piano students.
Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Lewistown with Reverend Shane Smith officiating. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lewistown.
Memorials may be made to the Pet Fix Alliance or to the Fulton County Humane Society.
Condolences may be sent to henrylange.com.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus