Roslyn H Murphy

She was born September 9, 1936 in Falls City, Nebraska to Ralph and Mildred (Stewart) Heim.  Her parents preceded her in death.

Surviving are one daughter, Sue (Joel) Steinfeldt of Champaign; one son, Randy (Caroline) Murphy of Las Vegas, Nevada; five grandchildren, Lindsay Murphy, Craig Murphy, and Adam Murphy, all of Las Vegas, and Sara Pearce and Rachel Steinfeldt, both of Champaign; two step-grandchildren; and two great-granddaughter; one brother, Roger Heim of Kansas City, Kansas.

A graduate of Pekin Community High School, Roz attended the University of Michigan and received her bachelor's degree from Bradley University.  She later received her master’s degree in progress from Illinois State University in Normal. 

Roz taught history at Illini Bluffs High School in Glasford and later Peoria Heights High School.  She was the education specialist at the Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin.  She last taught social studies at Pekin Community High School for 7 years, retiring in 1998.

She was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Pekin, where she was a Stephen Minister and church historian.    Roz was the long-time pianist for the Saturday evening worship service.  She was the accompanist for the Cherub, God's Kids, Maranatha, and Sanctuary Choirs.  She also was instrumental in coordinating many church programs including dinner theaters and the Hanging of the Greens.  She was the former church librarian and member of the bell choir.

Roz was a member of Pekin Civic Chorus since 1958, where she was the long-time accompanist and board member.  She was a former member of the Pekin Park Singers and during her high school years, was the accompanist for the former Melody Maids.  She was the accompanist to many Pekin performers.  She had served as a host for the Pekin Swing Choir Invitational for several years.

She was a member of Chapter AS of the P.E.O. Sisterhood in Pekin since 1957, serving as president from 1999 to 2001.  She was a member and board member of the Pekin Community Concert Association; member of Dirksen Center Friends, Pekin Altrusa, and Tazewell County Retired Teachers Association, and was a former board member of the Pekin YWCA.

Roz enjoyed family, life, music, traveling, and the company of others.  She loved Pekin! Her memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2010 at the First United Methodist Church in Pekin.  Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.  The Rev. Terry Edele and Rev. Judy Doyle will officiate. 

Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Music Department at First United Methodist Church, 1315 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554.