Dennis C. Murphy

Dennis C. Murphy, 77, of Long Point, passed peacefully from this earth surrounded by family and friends on June 26, 2023, at Goldwater Care in Pontiac, IL.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 30th from 10AM-12PM at the Winterrowd-Hagi Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 30th at 12PM at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Long Point Cemetery with a reception following at the American Legion Building in Long Point.

Dennis was born on May 7, 1946, in East St. Louis, IL to Samuel C. and Lenora J. (Steinkraus) Murphy. Lenora later married Earl Rhein who helped raise Dennis. 

On July 6, 1966, Dennis was united in marriage to Violet Louise Crocker in Missouri. They had two sons: Michael E. Murphy and Shawn C. Murphy.

Dennis joined the U.S. Army in 1964 and spent almost 25 years working on various missile systems in both the United States and abroad including posts in Germany, Italy, and South Korea.

Dennis married Kwang Cha on May 25, 1983, in El Paso, TX. 

Dennis is survived by his two sons Michael (Tim Ganser) Murphy of Omaha, NE and Shawn Murphy of Rineyville, KY, a sister Wanda (Rhein) Stolzer of Loves Park, IL, brother Kenny Rhein, Long Point, IL, nephew Norman (Mary Ann) Murphy of Bridge City, TX, niece Tsipora Mowers of Loves Park, IL, nephew David Laatz of Streator, IL, special great niece Ujina Yoon Park of lncheon, South Korea and numerous family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Kwang, brother Samuel Murphy, nephew Clayton Murphy and grandnephew Bryent Smothermon.

Dennis and Kwang lived in Cordova, Italy, Fort Knox, KY and El Paso, TX, before settling in Long Point, IL where they made their home for the past 30 years.

Dennis loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He could usually be found working in his yard, tinkering with duck decoys in his garage or watching a cowboy movie or wrestling match on television.  In the years after Kwang’s passing, Dennis embraced his creative side as he wrote poetry, did pencil drawings, and even took guitar lessons from his good friend Francis Batkiewicz.

Dennis was also fond of traveling. His most recent trip was with his son Shawn to visit Michael in Omaha, NE.  Dennis and Shawn continued to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Dennis and Kwang also enjoyed traveling to places such as Branson, MO; Denver, CO; and Los Angeles, CA where Dennis especially liked touring The Autry Museum of the American West and riding the mechanical bull.