John Murphy's Obituary
John Eldon Murphy, 87, of Seymour, passed away on December 3, 2017 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. John was born on October 26, 1930 to the late Vess and Edna Mae (Young) Murphy in Powersville, Missouri. On July 26, 1953, John married Rilla Cornmesser at the Seymour United Methodist Church and to this union, six children were born. John proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He was a life-long farmer in rural Putnam County and Wayne County. He was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad until his retirement in 1992. In his spare time, John enjoyed playing cards, gardening (especially growing watermelons and pumpkins), white cows, dum dum suckers, reading, drinking strawberry pop, fireworks, attending the Iowa State Fair and spending time with his family. John never met a stranger and thoroughly got a kick out of teasing everyone. He was a member of the Seymour American Legion. John is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Rilla; children: Susan Henderson, Patti Thompson, Debbie (Donald) Bennett, Mike (Carmela) Murphy, Nancy Murphy and Shari (Ken) Sylvester; grandchildren: Erin (Jim) Montgomery, Wade (Laura) Henderson, Lindsay Thompson, Molly Thompson, Megan Bennett, Ryan (Sarah) Bennett, Lauren (Michael) Sanchez, Tara (Bud) Trimble, Michol Murphy, Alex Murphy, 9 great grandchildren: Harley, Ori, Maysen Trimble; Dylan, Karter, Jolene Murphy; Cohen, Miles Henderson; Desmond Bennett and four siblings. He was preceded in death by two sons-in-law: Steven Henderson and Scott Thompson, six siblings and several other extended family members. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour. Interment will immediately follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour. Memorials may be made to Seymour Schools and online condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Murphy please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Southlawn Cemetery Visitation DEC 6. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST) Thomas Funeral Homes - Seymour 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected] Funeral Service DEC 7. 10:30 AM (CST) Thomas Funeral Homes - Seymour 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected]
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?

