Robert "Rob" Murphy

Robert “Rob” Murphy, age 54, of Savanna passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 6, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Savanna. Burial will be in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery with full military rites by the Savanna VFW. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2019 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Savanna with a Scripture Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be given in Rob’s honor for a future scholarship to benefit students attending trade schools. The greatest memorial to be given is to consider becoming an organ donor.

Rob was born February 15, 1965 in Kirksville, Missouri, the son of E.F. “Pat” and Ann (Wellman) Murphy. He is a 1983 graduate of the Savanna High School. Rob served his country in the US Air Force from 1983-87. On November 27, 1983, Rob married Lora Dague at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Sabula, Iowa. Together they raised three daughters and celebrated 36 years of marriage.

Rob studied as a machinist apprentice at Blackhawk College in 2009, going on to work as a machinist for the Rock Island Arsenal for 12 years. He also worked at Kelly Springfield Tire Co. for 19 years. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, he became a volunteer firefighter, serving the Savanna Fire Department for 16 years. Rob also volunteered his time as an ambulance driver for the Savanna Ambulance Association. Rob enjoyed baseball and was a devoted St. Louis Cardinals fan. More than anything, he loved spending time with his family and attending his grandsons’ baseball games.

Rob will be dearly missed by his wife, Lora; two daughters, Catherine “Catie” (Eric) Campbell of Colfax, Iowa and Natalie (Travis) Newcomb of Clinton, Iowa; five grandchildren, Jackson, Carson, Easton, Cooper, and his princess, Kenley; his parents, Pat and Ann; one brother, David (Kim Gregory) Murphy of Fulton, Illinois and one sister, Erin (Chuck) Wiebenga of Fulton; as well as a large extended family.

Rob is preceded in death by one daughter, Candice; his paternal grandparents, E.F. “Frank” & Darlene (Logerman) Murphy, and his maternal grandparents, L.A. “Unk” and Leola (Couch) Wellman.