MURPHY, Charles Oliver --- 1918-2011
NOBLE, MURPHY, BYRNES, WARD, REINHARDT
Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 2/11/2011 at 15:58:56
Charles Murphy
Charles O. Murphy, 92, of Waukon, died Monday, January 3, 2011, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Joseph Schneider officiating. Burial with military rites will be at St. Mary’s Hanover Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 4 p.m. scripture service.
Charles Oliver Murphy was born October 22, 1918 in Easton, MD, the son of Oliver Clayton and Alice Minnie (Noble) Murphy. He was baptized and confirmed in Easton and graduated from Easton High School. Six weeks after finishing school he joined the US Navy where he served from June of 1936 until October of 1941. After the start of WWII, he served another tour from 1942 until 1945. He was a chief Pharmacist’s Mate and took his training at San Diego and served for a time in the hospital at Marer Island, CA. His service at sea included time on the USS Yorktown, USS Saratoga, USS Lexington and the YMS 346 mine sweeper. He was stationed for a time in Pearl Harbor and then transferred to the Atlantic Fleet and was present at the Normandy Invasion. Shore duty included time spent at the National Naval Hospital in Bethesada, MD and the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.
He met Anita Bridget Byrnes while in the Navy in California and they were married September 10, 1941 in Port Deposit, MD, where he also worked in a shipyard for a time after his discharge. He also worked in Bethsesda, MD and for Maurice E. Newman & Sons Funeral Home in Easton, MD for two years before moving to Waukon in 1947 where he has lived ever since. In Waukon, Charles worked for Waukon Lumber Co., Handy’s Service Station, City Club, and with Anita operating concession stands at the fairgrounds during stock car races. His main occupation was as a Maintenance Operator for the Iowa State Highway Commission, which he did for 30 years before retiring in 1981.
Charles was an active member at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where he served as usher for many years. He was a member and past commander of the local VFW and participated in many military funeral details, a member of the KCs, and the Shamrock Club in La Crosse, WI. He was an accomplished woodworker and enjoyed spending time with Anita going dancing, playing cards, and traveling.
Survivors include three sons, Charles (Virginia) of Cedar Rapids, Larry (Alice) of Belton, MO, and Brian (Sue) of Rossville; two daughters, Anita “Dolly” (Gary) Ward of Denver, IA, and Cindy (Rick) Reinhardt of Waukon; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Anita; an infant brother and sister; and a brother, Elwood.
Casketbearers are Mark, Kelly, Marty, Mike, Pat, Shawn, Lance, and Ryan Murphy, Lori Wallace, and Steve, Kevin, and David Reinhardt.The Waukon Standard, January 5, 2011
Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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