Donald Murphy

Donald J. Murphy, 44, of Ely, died May 16, 2000, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, following an accident at work for the City of Cedar Rapids. Funeral services were held May 19 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Waukon under the direction of Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg. Burial with graveside military rites was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon.
Donald James Murphy was born Nov. 4, 1955, in Waukon, the son of Leo and Grace (Loecke) Murphy. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and attended St. Patrick Elementary School. He graduated from Waukon Senior High School in 1973. Following high school, Donald served in the U.S. Navy from 1974 until 1977 as a machinist mate aboard the U.S.S. Leahy, where he saw duty in the Mediterranean Sea, Spain and the Caribbean Sea. Following the service he attended Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar, for training in plumbing and heating work and later Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, in the water/waste-water program. For the past 12 years, Donald has worked in the WPC Department for the City of Cedar Rapids.
Don was a member of American Legion Post #5 in Cedar Rapids as well as AFSCME AFL-CIO Local #620. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling and following the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Iowa Hawkeyes. Don had a great sense of humor and always had a ready smile. He loved spending time with his family and friends and will be greatly missed by all.
Survivors include his best friend, Joann Snyder of Ely; his parents, Leo and Grace Murphy of Waukon; two sisters, Jane (Dave) Olson, Homer, AK, and Sandra (Dave) Lyons of Lansing; two brothers, Randy (Lisa), Waukon, and Jerry (Chris), Janesville, WI; three nieces; and three nephews. He is also survived by his special canine buddy, Bo. His niece, Katelyn Lyons, preceded him in death one year ago to the day.
Casketbearers were Jane Murphy, Mark White, Casey Jones, Tom Fettkether, Dave Snyder, Don Baxter, Randy Burke, Jack Heitman and Dave Honn.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Martin Funeral Home of Waukon assisted the family.