John Michael Murphy, 61

John Michael Murphy, 61, Whitewood, died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at his residence in Whitewood.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. at the Whitewood Cemetery.  Fellowship and refreshments will follow the service at Hale Hall in Whitewood.

John was born September, 13, 1947, at Pierre, SD, to Marion and Claire (O’Donnell) Murphy.  He attended school at Reliance and graduated from Reliance High School.  John attended South Dakota State University in Brookings before moving to California to pursue an acting career.

John married Irene Anita Arias at San Jacinto, CA, on November 13, 1971.  The couple lived in Oregon, Washington, and California where John worked as a carpenter before returning to South Dakota in 1993.  They made their home in Whitewood where John owned and operated his own carpentry business.

Survivors include his son, John (Marcie) Murphy, Ft. Worth, TX; one daughter, Rachel (Trevor) Papenfuss, Whitewood, SD; brothers, Jim (Gay) Murphy, Reliance, and Owen (Lois) Murphy, Pringle; sisters, Kathleen (Bob) Sherrell, Oak Park, IL, and Mary Burke, Whitewood; also six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Irene; and one brother-in-law, Paul Burke.

Cards may be sent to the family at:  Rachel Papenfuss, PO Box 357, Whitewood, SD 57793.