Joseph "Mike" K. Murphy

Age 73, a longtime resident of New Lenox, IL, passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family on Monday, July 9, 2018.

He was born on April 19, 1945 to Leo & Katherine (Vetter) Murphy of Manhattan. Joe was a graduate of Joliet Catholic High in June of 1963. He began working as a welder for Caterpillar prior to being drafted by the Army in 1966 as an Artillery Track Vehicle Mechanic in the 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Vietnam. He received an honorable discharge in January of 1968.

He resumed his position at Caterpillar after the Army and retired in 2002 with 38 years of employment.

He was a proud member of multiple support groups including the American Legion New Lenox Post #1977, New Lenox VFW Post #9545, Vietnam Veterans Organization of VFW Kokomo, Indiana, Vietnam Air Defense Artillery Veterans, Joliet PTSD Group, and was Chairman of the Friday Nights Group of St. Jude in New Lenox for 23 years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, gardening and traveling in the winters to Florida to enjoy the sun.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Donna (Barlow) Murphy, son Mark (Jennifer) Murphy, daughter Annette (Jeffrey) Hatz, granddaughters Breanna (Kyle) McNally, Samantha and Susannah Hatz, great grandson Wyatt McNally, siblings, David (Marlene) Murphy, Molly Glog, Kay (Ed) Buckman, Leo (Virginia) Murphy, Barb Stover and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo & Katherine Murphy, five brothers,
Bernard, Gerald, Patrick, George, William and two sisters, Norene Brandt and Jean Gaffy.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451 on Sunday, July 15th, 2018 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral service, Monday, July 16th, 2018 with prayers at the funeral home at 9:30 AM and then to St. Jude Catholic Church, 241 W. 2nd Avenue, New Lenox, IL 60451 for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Disabled American Veterans would be appreciated. For information www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-485-3700.