Mark Donald Murphy
January 6, 1956 — February 24, 2013
Mark Donald Murphy, 57, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, February 24, 2013, at his home. The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. Graveside Service: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Buckingham Cemetery, Traer, Iowa.
Survivors include his fiancé, Marla Allison of Hiawatha; parents, Dennis and Charlotte Murphy of Wheaton, IL; brother, Craig (Mary Maxson) Murphy of Machensey Park, IL; sister, Jeanine (Christopher) Downing of Chicago, IL; nieces and nephews, Katie, Alena, and William; aunts and uncles, Howard (Dorothy) McLean of Dubuque, Jim (Ramona) Snow of Traer, and David (Barbara) Vanicek of California; a special friend, Joshua Schmidt; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Dorothy Vanicek.
Mark was born January 6, 1956, in Chicago, IL, the son of Dennis and Charlotte (Vanicek) Murphy. He graduated from Wheaton Central High School, IL, in 1974, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Drake University in 1978, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mark worked for Farmland Mutual in Des Moines. He enjoyed reading and was particularly interested in history and political science. He also loved traveling, and visited many countries. Mark also enjoyed writing, and loved cats.
Memorials may be directed to: the UIHC Organ Transplant Center, C/O University of Iowa Foundation, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA, 52244, in Mark’s memory.
Survivors include his fiancé, Marla Allison of Hiawatha; parents, Dennis and Charlotte Murphy of Wheaton, IL; brother, Craig (Mary Maxson) Murphy of Machensey Park, IL; sister, Jeanine (Christopher) Downing of Chicago, IL; nieces and nephews, Katie, Alena, and William; aunts and uncles, Howard (Dorothy) McLean of Dubuque, Jim (Ramona) Snow of Traer, and David (Barbara) Vanicek of California; a special friend, Joshua Schmidt; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Dorothy Vanicek.
Mark was born January 6, 1956, in Chicago, IL, the son of Dennis and Charlotte (Vanicek) Murphy. He graduated from Wheaton Central High School, IL, in 1974, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from Drake University in 1978, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mark worked for Farmland Mutual in Des Moines. He enjoyed reading and was particularly interested in history and political science. He also loved traveling, and visited many countries. Mark also enjoyed writing, and loved cats.
Memorials may be directed to: the UIHC Organ Transplant Center, C/O University of Iowa Foundation, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA, 52244, in Mark’s memory.
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