Harold Murphy

Harold R. Murphy, 78, of Forsyth, IL, passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017.Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 24, 2017, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Decatur, with visitation 5 to 8 p.m., Sunday, July 23, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL.Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church.Harold was born January 24, 1939 in Springfield, IL to Walter F. and Ruth Alice Murphy, the oldest of three children. Harold married Doris Ann (Tarter) Murphy on June 6, 1965 in Decatur, IL.Mr. Murphy was a 1957 graduate of Lanphier High School in Springfield where he was Salutorian and President of the Senior Class. He earned a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois in 1961 and a Master of Accounting Science in 1962. He was employed from 1963 to 1975 by the Decatur public accounting firms of Gauger and Diehl and Peat Marwick Mitchell. In 1975, he joined Archer Daniels Midland Co. where he was employed as Group Controller – Grain Operations. He retired from ADM in 2002.Mr. Murphy was a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant. He was a member of the American Institute of CPAs and American Management Accountants organization. He served for nine years on the board of Heritage Behavorial Health Center and was a member of Decatur Rotary Club 180 for nearly 50 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He served his military obligation as an Officer in the Illinois Air National Guard, Springfield unit, in the 1960s.Mr. Murphy was a 54 year member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Decatur where he served at various times as a trustee and as Treasurer for 42 years. He was part of various choirs over the years, including 53 years in the church’s adult choir.Mr. Murphy was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball teams.He leaves his wife of 52 years, Doris Ann of Forsyth, son Dr. Christopher S. (Tressa) Murphy, grandsons Andrew Christian Murphy and Nehemiah James Morgan, all of Swansea, IL; brother Paul (Susan) Murphy of Springfield, IL; sister Ruth Ann (William) Midkiff of Memphis, TN, brother-in-law Dr. David O. (Nancy) Cooprider of Decatur; sister-in-law Judy Tarter of Charlotte, NC; and several nieces and their families.He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law Noble D. Tarter of Charlotte, NC. "
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