07/20/1984
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Nov. 9, 1984, for Donald John Murphy, 39, whose body was found near Des Moines, after being missing for several months.
The interment was in St. Mary, Cemetery at Weller. Iowa, Rev. Philip Ryan officiated at the services
Pallbearers were Bruno Avon, Jim Brees, Bob Momyer, Michael Beard, John Anderson, and Charles Galeazzi.
Mr. Murphy was born on Nov. 9, 1944, in Knoxville, the son of James Francis and Catherine Bingaman Murphy, and spent most of his life in the Knoxville area. He graduated from Knoxville High School in the class of 1963 and later entered the Coast Guard.
He was preceded in death by his father and an infant brother and sister. He is survived by his mother Catherine of Knoxville, his brothers, James Murphy of Woods, Wisc.; Gene Murphy of Lovington, N.M., and Gerald Michael Murphy of rural Knoxville and sisters, Mary Margaret Eddleman of Knoxville and Mrs. Clair Lois Rankin of Hobbs, N.M.
Polk County News:
On Friday, July 20, 1984, Donald Murphy was reported missing from a Knoxville hospital. In November hunters found his skeletal remains in northern Polk County just a few days prior to what would have been Murphy’s 40th birthday.
Polk County in Iowa
The interment was in St. Mary Cemetery at Weller, Iowa.
Information Needed
If you have any information about this case please the Polk County Sheriff’s Department at (515) 286-3814 or e-mail polkcounty.sheriff@polkcountyiowa.gov.