Kenneth Murphy, 96

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Kenneth Murphy, 96, of Farmersville, died Monday, April 29, 2019, at Regency Nursing Home in Springfield.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church ELCA in Farmersville. An additional visitation will be held Friday, May 3, from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the church.  Funeral services will follow Friday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at the church. Burial will be held in Morrisonville Cemetery. Bramley Funeral Home in Divernon is in charge of arrangements. 

Mr. Murphy was born at home on a farm south of Harvel, the only child of William and Kathryn (Langen) Murphy. He married Mildred Weitekamp in 1942, and they later divorced. He later married Lucille Dix.

He was a graduate of Lone Elm School and Harvel High School. As a young man, he frequently sang solos at community gatherings and weddings.

A veteran of World War II, he served as a crew chief on B24 bombers. After his discharge, he farmed in the Harvel and Farmersville area.

A member of the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, he served on Horse Creek drainage district for over 40 years. He owned Murphy Trucking, hauling cattle and hogs over a large part of the United States. 

He had a construction business, which included farm drainage, land clearing and pond creation. He loved to feed cattle, and was proud that his three sons tended the family farms. He enjoyed traveling and fondly spoke of his 1973 trip to Alaska in his bumper hitch camper.

One of his hobbies was restoring antique tractors and going to antique tractor shows. In his younger days, he enjoyed trap shooting and riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Bulls and St. Louis Cardinals on television.

He is survived by his sons, William D. (Marilyn), Edward F. (Diane) and Donald J. (Diane); daughter, Karen (Wayne) Manson; ten grandchildren, Dana and Lisa Murphy, Kristina House, Courtney Murphy, Carla Mudd, Kendra Pirk, Jonathan Manson, Katie Cervi, Kevin Murphy and Lauren Crocks; and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Farmersville Fire Department or Farmersville-Waggoner Ambulance.

Online condolences may be left at www.bramleyfh.com.