Gerald Murphy

Gerald Murphy, age 75, of Hanover, Illinois passed away suddenly Friday, June 23, 2017 at his home. Born in Savanna on December 28, 1941, Gerald was the son of Robert and Mary Ellen (Miller) Murphy. He was a very proud older brother to Jack Murphy, Sharon Holmbo, and Janet Altensey.
He attended Hanover High School where he met the love of his life Marianne Whalen. Gerald Murphy was many things, but above all, he was a great husband. He was a family man, loving to spend time with his family. Marianne and Gerald were inseparable and will be “famously” known to their family members as Mar and Ger living up on Murphy’s Mountain.
Gerald provided thirty-seven years of loyal service for John Deere in Dubuque, starting his career in the Foundry and working his way up to a Departmental Supervisor. It was not just a job for him, his whole family lived John Deere, with green sweatshirts and toy tractors scattered throughout the home. Prior to his work with John Deere, Gerald honorably served as a member of the US Army while stationed in Germany for three years.
Gerald could often be found in his garden, fishing at Apple Canyon Lake, or hunting in the fall. He was proud of his faith and his Irish heritage. Gerald had two daughters Moira Brunk and Monica Klippert. He was very proud to be able to send them to The University of Iowa, creating a lifelong love of the Hawkeyes. His passions transferred over to the lessons that he taught his children and grandchildren: teaching each one of his grandkids how to properly bait a hook while fishing. What he was not able to teach he left up to God, making it his mission to have each family member have a connection to the church. His legacy is his teachings of the meaning of hard work and the respect for the flag. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Hanover VFW Post # 5300, American Legion, the Savanna Moose and the Galena Elks.
Gerald will be dearly missed by his wife, Marianne of Hanover, two daughters, Moira (Greg) Brunk of Newtown, Pennsylvania and Monica “Moni” (Mark) Klippert; five grandchildren, Jack Brunk, Matthew Klippert, Mary-Kate Brunk, Madeline Klippert and Leo Brunk; his best friend Cash (Black Lab); a brother Jack (Carole) Murphy of the Blue Grass, Iowa; and two sister Sharon Holmbo of Hanover and Janet (Martin) Altensey of Savanna. Gerald is preceded in death by both his parents.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. Prior to the Mass at the Church there will be a visitation from 9 until 11:30 am. Full Military Rites will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Gerald’s memory to the Hanover VFW Post # 5300 (102 Fillmore St, Hanover, IL 61041).