Thomas Murphy

STERLING – Thomas J. Murphy, 75, of Sterling, formerly of Lisle, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009, at Coventry Living Center, Sterling.

He was born June 18, 1934, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of Joseph Paul and Mary Kathryn (Anderson) Murphy. He and was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Boston College. He married Barbara Joan Sohler on June 17, 1961, in Omaha, Neb. Mr. Murphy was employed as superintendent of the Illinois Visually Handicapped Institute in Chicago for 17 years. He served in the Army and was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Sterling.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; their five children, Timothy (Cheryl) Murphy of DeKalb, Megan Murphy of Lisle, Brian (Debra) Murphy of West Palm Beach, Fla., Paul Murphy of Mount Carroll, and Terrence Murphy of Cicero; his sister, Mary Murphy of Chesapeake, Va.; his brother, retired Col. John R. (Joan) Murphy of New Bern, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Emily, Jack, Katherine, Jacob, and Brooke Murphy.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Prayer service will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at McDonald-Allen-Grennan Funeral Home, 505 First Ave. in Sterling, followed by the Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Sterling, with the Rev. Jesus Dominguez, celebrant, officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Knoll Memorial Park, Sterling. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., with the rosary recited at 4 p.m., Monday at the funeral home.

Visit www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.