George C. Murphy

Hardworking, loving and witty were just a few ways to describe George Murphy. He had a strong Christian faith, was passionate about people knowing the Lord and took it as an honor to lead his family in prayer before meals. George had a great sense of humor; an amazing laugh and his witty phrases will be missed by his family along with his happy birthday wishes to all his family members on their birthdays.

The 1930's is mostly associated with the Great American Depression and President Franklin D. Roosevelt pledged to use the power of our government to make Americans' lives better, but there were many things going on in the 30's like the end of prohibition, the discovery of Pluto, air mail service across the Atlantic Ocean began, and the invention of 3M's Scotch Tape were just a few things. Nothing was more exciting for Floyd M. and Opal (Harroff) Murphy as they welcomed their first-born child, George C. Murphy at their farmhouse in rural Noble County, Indiana on February 6, 1931.

Growing up on the farm, George had plenty of chores to keep him busy. He spent countless hours growing mint, picking the leaves in the early morning dew and distilling them on the family farm. He found time to play basketball with friends, but to participate on the school team, he would have had to walk home several miles after school, so he opted not to play while attending Cromwell High School.

During his teenage years, he met a young gal that would win his heart over. George and Wanda F. Stump got to know each other through their church and would begin dating. The high school sweethearts would be engaged before he graduated with the Class of 1950. They were married on July 9, 1951 before he was sent off to serve in U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. After being stationed in England, Wanda would join him, and they would begin a family in another continent. After being honorably discharged 4 years later, they would move back, and George went back to work on the family farm.

George would work at a plastic making company for seven years before taking a job with Harvester in Fort Wayne. The company would eventually move its operations out of Fort Wayne, and he was given an opportunity to continue work for them in Springfield, Ohio. He and Wanda would then move. He would go on to retire after 31 years from Navistar in 1997. George picked up a part time job with Meijer for a few years and in 2000, he and Wanda moved back to Indiana to live in Churubusco before moving to their current home in Fort Wayne in 2015.

One to stay busy, George learned the skills of upholstery and did upholstery work part time along with working at Enterprise and the local car auctions in Fort Wayne. He enjoyed spending time with his family, going fishing, going camping and playing horseshoes. At the age of 12 he asked for a guitar for his birthday and taught himself how to play along with the harmonica. George became quite good at playing and loved it when he and his siblings played their musical instruments together while at the church where he was a member of, Big Lake Church of God. They also played at several other churches over the years and the A.M. Radio station, WOWO.

On Thursday morning, February 13, 2020, George Murphy passed away in his sleep at the age of 89. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Wanda Murphy; daughter, Debra Jamerson of Churubusco; son, Michael (Rose) Murphy of Fort Wayne; daughter-in-law, Linda Murphy of Brandenburg, KY; brother, Gene (Carol) Murphy of Syracuse; sister, Maryanna Leitch of Churubusco; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Steven W. Murphy; brothers, Estel Murphy and LeRoy Murphy; and sister, Linda Hontz.

A gathering of family and friends will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, February 17, 2020 at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with Pastor Samuel Mills officiating. Burial to follow at Thorn Cemetery. Memorials may be given in his memory to Big Lake Church of God, Cancer Services of North East Indiana or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences.