Ronald L. "Ron" Murphey Sr.

KEWANEE - Ronald L. “Ron” Murphey Sr., 82, of Kewanee, died at 2:40 a.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo.

Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 2 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. Rev. Dr. William R. Toliver will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee where military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be directed to the Kewanee VFW Post 8078.

He was born June 6, 1933 in Kewanee, the son of Leslie LaVerne and Margaret (Virgo) Murphy. He married Mary Jane Abbott on May 11, 1952 at the Nazarene Church in Kewanee. She survives of Kewanee, as do six children, Kathleen Louise Dennison, Ronald (Nickie) Murphey Jr. and Peggy (Tom) DePauw, all of Kewanee, Sherri Swan and her special friend, Jay Olson, of Maquoketa, IA, Wendy Foster of Kansas City, KS and Tammy (David) VerKruyse of Annawan, two siblings, Loren Murphy and Evelyn Cox, both of Kansas City, KS, twenty-four grandchildren, forty great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and two special friends, Rocky Swan and Ray Williams Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, Alvin Murphey and Wilmer, LaVerne, Frederick Sr. and Robert Murphy, two sisters, Anna Marie in infancy and Judith Beckman and two great grandsons, Baby James and JR.

Ron was extremely proud to be a veteran and served his country from 1952-59 in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, obtaining the rank of Airman 1st Class. He had worked as a brick layer and concrete finisher having owned and operated Murphey and Son Masonry for 20 years. He was a member of the 40&8 and a life member of the Kewanee VFW Post 8078. He loved watching Westerns and enjoyed going to the casinos and of course speaking his mind. His greatest enjoyment was his family and friends.

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