March 27, 1929 - Jan. 21, 2013

COLDWATER, Mich. — Dean E. Murphy, 83, of Coldwater, died Monday, Jan. 21, 2013, at Parkview Hospital in LaGrange, Ind.

Dean was born March 27, 1929, in Elkhart, Ind., to William F. and Ruth M. (Vixler) Murphy. Dean married Jeanette A. Corless on June 19, 1949, in Coldwater. She preceded him in death on Oct. 7, 2010.

He was member of Lockwood Community Church, Model T Ford Club of America and International and the local Model T clubs, Tin Lizzy Travelers and Quincy Mayor Club. He and his wife lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for 35 years, returning to Coldwater in 1989 after he retired from Florida Power and Lights. He was an avid fisherman and volunteered at the Burnside Senior Center.

Survivors include sons David (Angie) Murphy of Herndon, Va., and Daniel (Deborah) Murphy of Shipshewana, Ind.; grandchildren Tara (Andreas) Pack, Meghan Murphy, Lauren (Chris) Hazlet, Joshua (Ellen) Murphy and Christi (Jonathan) Bovee; 17 great-grandchildren; brother Ralph (Betty) Murphy of Elkhart; and sister Rosemarie Bradley of Coldwater.

He was preceded in death by three brothers.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at Lockwood Community Church in Coldwater, with the Rev. Shayne Looper and Pastor Robert Riegsecker officiating. Burial will be in East Gilead Cemetery in Branch County.

Memorials may be made to Lockwood Community Church.

Arrangements are by Gillespie Funeral Home, Coldwater. Visit www.gillespiefh.com to leave a message or condolences to the family.

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