Bertram C. Murphy

Our Beloved Husband and Father, Bertram Charles Murphy, age 84, died peacefully surrounded by family Friday Sept 11, 2009 at the Mid West Medical Center, Galena IL.
Bert was born July 2 1925 in Galena, the son of Michael J. and Loretto (Ortscheid) Murphy. He attended St. Michael’s Grade School and is a graduate of the Galena High School, class of 1943. Bert joined the U.S. Army in Sept. 1943 and was a member of B Company, 173rd Amphibious Engineer Battalion, 24th Corps. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations and participated in the invasions of the Philippines, Okinawa, and in the occupation forces of Korea. He was honorably discharged on March 12 1946. Bert then attended Loras College of Dubuque Iowa, Receiving a Bachelors Degree of Economics and History in1950. He also attended University of Wisconsin, Madison and Bradley University, Peoria, receiving a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Loras College. On June 12, 1956, Bert married Nora Ballein in Hanover.
His career began as a teacher at the Long Hollow one-room country school near Elizabeth, 1950-1952. In the fall of 1952 he accepted a teaching position at the Hanover School District 212 and became Principal of the school in 1967, retiring in 1984. Bert enjoyed and took great pride in his professional life as an educator. He was also an avid sports fan with his favorite teams being Notre Dame, Green Bay Packers, Chicago White Sox, and “whoever was playing the Cubs.” Bert was proud of his Irish heritage, his military service, and his faith.
He is survived by his wife, Nora of Hanover; four children, Erin Murphy of Hanover, Michael (Beth) Murphy of Galena, Sean Murphy of Hanover, and Kevin Murphy of Chicago; three grandchildren, Matthew, Luke and Karen Murphy; his brother, Timothy (Elaine) Murphy of Dubuque Iowa, and sister in-laws, Catherine “Mitzie” Murphy of Galena and Patricia Cottral of Hanover. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Murphy; brother in-law, Daniel Cottral; and nieces, Julie Cottral and Diane Brueggen.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 14, 2009 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hanover. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Hanover. Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Hanover, with a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m..