Josephine Murphy

Josephine Irene Murphy

Age 101 of Coal City, and formerly of Wilmington, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 12, 2017 at Park Point Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Morris.

Born May 14, 1916, Josephine Irene was a daughter of Louis D. and Irene Josephine (Long) Liberty. She was raised in Wilmington, and graduated from the Wilmington Public Schools. On July 25, 1936, Josephine married William R. Murphy in Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Together they made their home in Gary, Indiana, prior to returning to Coal City. Josephine was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, where she was once active in the Altar and Rosary Society. During the years that William was involved with the Knights of Columbus, Josephine helped with the fish fry’s, and also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, as well as at St. Joseph Hospital. Josephine will be remembered for her love of crocheting and playing cards.

Survivors include five children: Thomas (Tina) Murphy of Florida, Lawrence (Patricia) Murphy of Colorado, Rita (Jack) Hummel of Bloomingdale, William “Bill” (Barbara) Murphy of Morris and Dennis (Catherine) Murphy of Braidwood; grandchildren: Phyllis LaChance, Michelle Murphy, Thomas Murphy, John Murphy, Erin Albrecht, Tara Littel, Kimberly Braeseke, Kristine Hummel, Michael Murphy, Matthew Murphy, Heather Houck, Caitlyn Wilkerson, Amanda Murphy, Nicholas Murphy and Kelly Murphy; (22) great grandchildren with another expected, and several nieces and nephews.

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents; husband William; daughter Phyllis in infancy; two granddaughters: Sarah in infancy and Tracy Comstock; one great granddaughter Hadley, and brothers and sisters: Frances Dempsey, Loretta Feeney, Louis Liberty, Marjorie Bell, William Liberty, James Liberty, Marie Cushing and Evelyn Phillips.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Friday, September 15, 2017 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and Saturday September 16th from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Funeral services will follow in St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Ed Howe, CR presiding.

Burial will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington, where Josephine will be laid to rest with her husband William.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Josephine’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815-634-2125)