James Murphy Jr. 88, of Milan, went to be with the Lord Saturday, December 27th 2014. Funeral services will be 11am Saturday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home in Milan with visitation from 10am to service time. Burial will be in Reynolds Cemetery. Memorials may be made to South Park Presbyterian Church in Rock Island.
Mr. Murphy was born on April 29, 1926 in Centerville, Iowa, the son of James Murphy Sr. and Marie Catlett Murphy. He married Lila Mae Stropes on October 4, 1947 at South Park Presbyterian Church where they remained members.
James was a World War II United States Marine Corps Veteran, having served his country in the South Pacific as a Marine Raider.
James was retired from the Rock Island Arsenal where he worked as a machinist for many years.
Jim enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting with family and friends. He was a handyman skilled in carpentry and an excellent mechanic, but more than anything else, he loved seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
James is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Joyce Murphy of Taylor Ridge and Brian and Shari Murphy of Lanark, Illinois, also by his grandchildren, Kevin, Kent, Katie, Karlie, Paul, Eric, and Amanda; nine great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his wife, Lila, two daughters, Peggy and Janet and all of his five siblings.