Mary Murphy
Golden Eagle, IL |
Mary Ann (Davis) Murphy, 63, of Golden Eagle, IL passed away on August 24, 2024 at Calhoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hardin, IL. She was born March 24, 1961 in Jerseyville, IL to Claude J. "Buzz" and Rita M. (Schleeper) Davis.
Mary was raised in Jerseyville, IL as the fifth of six children. Her childhood was filled with playing with siblings and friends in the neighborhood, softball, baking and cooking with her mom, and fishing with her dad. She attended grade school at Holy Ghost Catholic School and graduated from Jersey Community High School in 1979.
On June 29, 1985, she married Dwight C. Murphy at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Brussels, IL. They were blessed with three children, Diane, Clayton, and Paula. Together they created a life they loved, and they worked tirelessly to support their family and their passions. Mary was always an involved parent, coaching ball throughout the many years that her children played. The love of “ball” was deep rooted from her father, and she carried that tradition on by working to create “The Field of Dreams” in Brussels, IL, helping to bring back girls softball for the Lady Raiders. You could have still found her cheering on her many grandchildren this summer at the very same field. In her free time, Mary enjoyed making and painting ceramics, refinishing furniture, mushroom hunting, gardening, and fishing in the pond just down the hill from the house that she and Dwight built.
Mary was a people person and used her abilities to make connections as a waitress at Wittmond’s in Brussels, IL. In her 25 years at Wittmond’s, Mary served local clientele along with many guests, new to Calhoun, always trying to make them feel welcome. She used her talents to help redecorate many of the rooms in the historical hotel, an accomplishment she was truly proud of and loved to showcase. Dwight and Mary spent many summers welcoming customers to Murphy Family Orchard in Golden Eagle, where they would come to enjoy tree-ripened Calhoun peaches. She also spent many years enriching the lives of students in Brussels’ schools. She truly made an impact on the community in which she lived.
Mary is survived by her three children and their spouses; Diane and Ben Tepen of Golden Eagle, Clayton and Megan Murphy of Brussels, and Paula and Jeff Schleeper of Brussels. She was blessed with eleven grandchildren; Ava, Maggie, Lilly, and Charlie Tepen, Cole, Barrett, Remmy, and Edie Murphy, and Mason, Miles, and Sadie Schleeper. She is also survived by one sister, Christine (Tina) Davis of Jerseyville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Rick (Terri) Davis of Shipman and Tim (Ginger) Davis of Jerseyville; a sister-in-law Beth Ann Davis of Jerseyville; a mother-in-law, Virginia Murphy of Golden Eagle; three sisters-in-law and their spouses, Sharon (Mike) Rose of Godfrey, Mary (David) Kirn of Golden Eagle, and Charlene (Lonnie) Haug of Brussels; along with numerous nieces and nephews and their spouses, as well as many special friends.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight Murphy, a brother, John C. Davis, a sister, Linda M. Burton, nieces Jennifer (Davis) Cundiff and Patricia D. Kirn, a great niece, Madison Cundiff and a father-in-law, Charles F. Murphy.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Elias, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home in Brussels, IL where a funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Mary will be laid to rest in Cresswell Cemetery in Golden Eagle. Memorials can be given to “The Field of Dreams” or Calhoun Ambulance Service.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
