Marvin C. Murphy

Funeral Services for Marvin C. Murphy, 94 of Illinois City, will be Wednesday at 1:00 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. The Rev. David Stroud will officiate. Burial will be in Coal Valley Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday from 2 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Marvin Murphy Memorial Fund. Marvin died on Friday, March 3, 2006 at his home. Marvin was born on February 4, 1912 in Boden, Illinois to William S. & Eunice C. (Sample) Murphy. He was united in marriage to Mabel Petty on March 7, 1936 in Moline, Illinois. As a teenager, Marvin began working in the coal mines in Coal Valley. He became a Heavy Equipment Operator with the Operating Engineers International Union, Rock Island where he enjoyed working as a catskinner He was a bus mechanic and driver for Rockridge School District Unit 300, which he cherished doing. He also farmed his entire life in various counties including; Mercer, Rock Island and Scott. While farming he enjoyed working with horses, welding and keeping all the family vehicles running. After his retirement he continued to operate heavy equipment for Ron Bieri. Marvin was an avid boxing fan and also enjoyed watching baseball. He played hardball and enjoyed playing the guitar, violin and banjo for “house dances” in his younger years. He was a devoted family man, who was loved and respected by his wife, children and grandchildren. Marvin is survived by his wife, Mabel; a son and daughter-in-law: Jim & Dollie Murphy of Erie; 2 daughters and a son-in-law: Joyce & John Arendt of Joy and Marlene Mayers of Rock Island; a sister, Lulu Ayers of New Boston; 14 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter in infancy, Betty Jean; a brother and sister in infancy, Irene and Harlan; a sister, Clara Newton and a son-in-law, John Mayers.