By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
19 Comments
    • Service

      Graveside Service
      2:00 p.m. Monday January 25, 2021
      Bethel United Methodist Cemetery
      Ellery, IL

    • Full Obituary

      Robert Donal Murphy, Jr. of Albion, IL passed from this life to the next life on January 21, 2021 at Deaconess Midtown ICU in Evansville IN with his family by his side.
      He was born on August 13, 1954 in Mt. Carmel IL to Robert Donal Murphy, Sr. and Betty (Meserole) Murphy.
      Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Betty Murphy and one brother Roger Murphy as well as his grandparents and several aunts and uncles.
      He is survived by his wife Patti, sons James Robert of Chicago, IL and Joseph Alan and wife Brandi Nicole of Ellery, “the lights of his life” Granddaughter Madisyn Lynzi and Grandson Lukas Alan, one sister Linda Bunting of Albion, several nieces, nephews, brother and sister in laws and three aunts.
      A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. in the afternoon on Monday January 25, 2021 at Bethel United Methodist Cemetery in Ellery, IL.
      In lieu of flowers please make a memorial contribution to the Baptist Children’s home in Carmi, IL. Envelopes will be available at the service.
      Online condolences, encouragement and fond memories may be left for the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com
      Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of Albion is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    19 Condolences
     
    1. Terri Hilgeman / January 22, 2021 at 3:16 pm

      So very, very sorry…Never saw him without a smile…Prayers continue for your heartbroken family…xoxoxo ❤️
      Holding you close in our thoughts and hearts…

      Chuck & Terri Hilgeman…

    2. Sheldia Lamb / January 22, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      Patti and boys,
      My heart is broken at the news of Bob’s passing. I know we are supposed to rejoice at death and mourn at birth, but, there is now a void that can never be filled. Bob was my First SS teacher at FBC, he was one of my deacons, but, most of all, he was my friend. Over the years we shared a few tears and a lot of laughs. One of my favorite memories is in class one Sunday (I don’t remember what was going on), Bob smiled at me and said, “Sheldia, I bet God has a real good time with you.”
      When you guys were leaving FBC, our SS class had got a going away gift for Bob. The last Sunday he taught class, we were going to present the gift to him. I should be ashamed to tell this, but I wasn’t really listening to WHAT he was saying, I was waiting for him to stop talking so I could let him know that we as a class had a gift to show him how much we appreciated him as a teacher. So, when I heard a gap in his speaking I thrust my arm in the air and was waving it around. Bob gets this strange look on his face and starts to kind of smile. I take this as my chance to say what I needed to say, which was, “Bob you do a amazing job as a teacher, but could you kinda wrap this up, we have something we need to do before class is over”. You could have heard a pin drop. This is the moment that I realize exactly what Bob had actually said, “How many of you don’t pray for your children?” Of course, Bob knew I prayed for my child. At this point, I start to laugh and cry at the same time. I finally got up and left the room to try and compose myself. As I shut the door, he turns to Dawn and ask her if I am going to be okay, and she replied, “At this point, who knows”?
      I don’t have to tell you Patti, James and Joe what a good man, and a godly man he was. Thank you for sharing him with me and the many others he has befriended and helped over the years. I love all of you guys and know that you are in mine and Nick’s thoughts and prayers.

    3. Leland Bunting / January 22, 2021 at 5:47 pm

      Bob was one of the finest human beings to walk God’s earth. I’ve never met a man who was as kind and selfless. From him always pulling up in that rusted out old pickup after Junior League Football, to the times we worshiped together in Brothers in Christ. I will always remember him fondly, and I am thankful that I was blessed to know such a great man.

    4. Rachel Downen / January 22, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      Patty and Joe, Brandi and kids.
      So sorry for your loss..My prayers are with you during this time of hardship..

    5. sherry meadows / January 22, 2021 at 8:27 pm

      Patty, so sorry for your loss, he was such a nice man, thought s and prayers for you and your family. Sherry Meadows

    6. PAM CARTER / January 23, 2021 at 7:12 am

      I am so sorry that the world has lost such a good man. He was one of the friendliest men I knew, always had a smile for anyone and was a wonderful Christian influence. He will be missed by many.

    7. Gina wissel / January 23, 2021 at 7:23 am

      So sorry for your loss! Bob was such a great Sunday school teacher. Learned a lot from him. I have so many fond memories of spending time with your family when David and I were married. We would come to your house ( the big White House) and visit and eat. We also had some parties at the cabin. Never got tired of listening to Bobs story’s about him Donnie and Vince. Thinking of you patti and boys Love Gina Wissel

    8. Tony & Lannie Hayes / January 23, 2021 at 7:34 am

      We are so sorry to hear the news of Bobby’s passing…never a kinder man to walk the earth..continued prayers for your family 🙏

    9. Mary Bruce / January 23, 2021 at 10:03 am

      We sure will miss him. Loved him and his whole family. Glad he got to see Maddie and Lukas and they are old enough to remember him. I know that is what he wanted.

    10. DEBRA SPILLMAN / January 23, 2021 at 11:13 am

      Sorry for your loss, prayers 🙏

    11. Joe Splittorff / January 23, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Wishing you all comfort, strength, and peace as you navigate the days ahead. Bob was a kind, sincere man who I was blessed to know growing up. He was a staple, both in church and in the community more broadly. He will be missed by many, myself included.

    12. Patricia Blake / January 23, 2021 at 11:21 am

      Dean and I are so sorry to hear of the loss of Bobby. He was a great man always doing good for others and always smiling! I know you are all heartbroken! Love and prayers for you all during this difficult time! Love,Dean and Pk Blake

    13. Sherry and David Smith / January 23, 2021 at 3:20 pm

      Patty, James, Joe & family, We are so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Bob was a wonderful man and always smiling. His grandkids will always remember him! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    14. Walter Bogard / January 23, 2021 at 10:12 pm

      Sorry to hear of Bob‘s passing. I was blessed to serve with him in disaster relief and his love and compassion for people made a lasting impression. It was abundantly evident that he loved people and loved his Lord.

    15. C. Wilson / January 24, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      My thoughts and prayers are with the MURPHY FAMILY in their time of grief. May ‘God’ give you peace during this most difficult time. (Psalm 4:8)

    16. Peggy Bright / January 24, 2021 at 5:05 pm

      Patti my heart breaks for you . I know you and your husband were godly people and believe that he is in a better place. I pray for you to have peace and comfort 🙏 ❤ my thoughts are with you and your family my dear friend. !! ❤❤

    17. Connie VanMatre / January 25, 2021 at 8:54 am

      Patty you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers

    18. Mike Edmonds / January 25, 2021 at 8:52 pm

      Patti, James and Joe. Bob was the first person to have nvite us to come to First Baptist church. He was a wonderful Sunday school teacher and friend. We were saddened to hear of his passing, and rejoice that he sees Jesus face to face! I know he is missed and we have the hope that we will see Bob again. We were blessed to know him. Mike and Gay Edmonds

    19. Tasha Davis / January 26, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      My mom and dad and I knew Bob from Albion fair. They had a food stand next to his. He was such a kind person. I’m very sorry for your loss.

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