ELYRIA - Donald L. Murphy, 71 years old, of Elyria, Ohio passed away on November 14, 2010 after a 13 month battle with mesothelioma.
He was the first baby of the year, born 2 minutes after midnight on January 1, 1939 in Elyria. He graduated from Elyria High School in 1958. Don was a retired Elyria Firefighter and was Broker/Owner of Majestic Realty in Elyria. While a firefighter he was a member of the Department's Underwater Recovery Dive Team. Additionally he was the first real estate Exclusive Buyer Broker in Northern Ohio.
Don was a veteran of the Army National Guard, a member of the American Legion, Am Vets, Fraternal Order of Police, Elyria Elks, Eagles, Polish Club, International Association of Firefighter Local 474, Lorain County, Ohio, and the National Association of Realtors. He also was a Charter Member of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. For a few years he was an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff with the Lorain County Sheriff's Department back in the sixties.
Don is survived by his wife Janet (Bishop); sons, Tim, Patrick (Teresa) of Elyria, Michael (Dawn) of Cypress, Texas, daughter Gina Anderson of Elyria, sister, Helen ( Larry) Grundy of Moon Township, PA, brothers, Richard (Jean) Murphy, Ken (Francine) Murphy of Elyria, Alan (Gloria) Murphy of Sierra Vista, AZ, Bob (Katy) Murphy of Grapevine, TX, 18 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Margaret (Heywood) Murphy and his sister-in-law, Patricia (Masonis) Murphy.
Friends will be received at the Reichlin Roberts Funeral Home, 327 Cleveland Street, Elyria, Ohio on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 3-8 P.M. Funeral services will be in the funeral home on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. with Beth McKee, Chaplain of Wesleyan Village, officiating. Burial will be in Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made to Harry R. Horvitz Center for Palliative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44195.
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Richard Schmittgen
Rest in Peace Murph!
Jim Slaughenhaupt
Your great sense of humor and fun loving spirit will always be remembered. Rest in Peace friend.
Jim Slaughenhaupt
Sanford Fishman
I'll remember our last chat recently. I'm glad you were in my life but it wasn't long enough. I'll fill the void with fond memories. I love you my friend.
Judy Arenz (Smith)
11/17/10
We'll miss you, Don! Enjoyed seeing you at all the reunions, even though the last one was a difficult one - didn't think it would be the last time we'd see you!! You and Jan were such a special couple!!!
Love, Judy & Ken