Dennis J. “Murph” Murphy, age 74 of Darlington passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County. He was born May 30, 1941 in Mineral Point the son of Harold and Arline (Burns) Murphy. Murph graduated from Mineral Point High School in 1959 and was inducted into the Mineral Point High School Football Hall of Fame in 2013. He also attended both UW-Platteville and Winona State Universities. He was united in marriage to Mary Jo FitzGerald on Sept. 24, 1966 in Darlington. Murph grew up in Mineral Point. In 1963 he joined the U.S. Army, was stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1965. Upon his return, Murph worked at Hoffer Glass in Madison. In 1974, he and Mary Jo moved to Darlington. Later, in 1976 Murph owned and operated Murph’s Paint and Decorating Center in Darlington and later bought Clayton Furniture on Main Street where he expanded his business to include furniture. Murph retired in 2016 and was recognized by the Darlington Chamber/Main Street Program for being in business for 40 years.  
Murph is survived by his wife Mary Jo at home; three daughters: Molly (Jeff) Garwood of Whitefish Bay, Megan (Joseph) Cusick of Chicago, Ill., and Bridget (Jason) Driscoll of Waunakee; his eleven “angels” (grandchildren): Sean, Shannon, and Hannah Garwood, Maggie, Caty, Joe, Will, and Peter Cusick, Aidan, Erin and Claire Driscoll; and one brother: Jerry (Mary) Murphy of Monona. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Murph was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, a branch of Our Lady of Fatima Parish and was a 4th degree member of its Knights of Columbus Council #1080, was commander of Bates-O’Brien-Howe-Wiegel-Roelli American Legion Post #214 of Darlington and the Relay for Life group where he found great support from his “Cancer Brothers and Sisters.” He was an avid Redbirds fan and was proud of his cross county and football teams. Murph was a member of the “Chain Gang” for over 40 years, and founding member of both DYSA (Darlington Youth Sports Association) and Lafayette County Shamrock Club. He loved golfing, bowling, and running. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends.
A Public Family Remembrance and Eulogy was shared Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church (104 E. Harriet Street, Darlington) with Rev. John Bosco Pudhota officiating. Burial was in Holy Rosary Cemetery where military graveside rites were accorded by Bates-O’Brien-Howe-Wiegel-Roelli American Legion Post #214. A visitation was held Tuesday, March 8, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church where a rosary was prayed at 4:00 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus service was held at 8:00 p.m. A visitation was also held on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. The Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Murph’s name.