Melvin R Murphy

PEKIN ~ Melvin Ray Murphy, 69, of 1001 Charlotte, passed away at 1:50 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 at Pekin Hospital.Born Jan. 11, 1940 in Peoria to Wilbert James and Addie Mabel (Walkup) Murphy, he married Marilyn Kay Robbins on Oct. 22, 1966 in Pekin.  She survives.Also surviving are two daughters, Kelly L. (Scott) Habel of Pekin and Robyn R. (Ralph) Gargus of Mackinaw; three grandchildren, Ashley N. Gargus, Alyssa M. Gargus and Nick L. Gargus, all of Mackinaw and four sisters, Jo (Cleatus) Crawford of Maynard, Arkansas, Jean Tackman, Mary (Byron) Adcock and Linda Ziegenbein, all of Pekin.He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son, James Michael Murphy and one sister.He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1959 to 1963 aboard the USS Charles R. Ware and also had fond memories of wrestling in high school.Melvin worked for Armour Meat Packing Company in Peoria and then for American Distilling Company in Pekin for 10 years and then was a laborer in the construction trades for many years.He was a member of William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 in Pekin; Pekin Eagles Aerie 1869 and Pekin Moose Family Center 916.An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Mel loved to spend time with his family and attend his grandchildren’s sporting events.His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel.  The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate.  Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.Memorial contributions may be made to the Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or to the Pekin Eagles Aerie 1869 Crippled Children’s Fund, 274 Derby Street, Pekin, IL 61554.