DIXIE LEE (BARNHART) MURPHY

Mar. 30, 1936 - Dec. 8, 2015

SOUTH BEND - Dixie Lee Murphy, 79, residing in South Bend, passed away at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at Southfield Village.

She was born March 30, 1936 in South Bend, a daughter of Walter Dean & Elsie Violet (McBride) Barnhart. She lived most of her adult life in LaPorte, IN, and returned to South Bend in 2004.

On September 10, 1955 at Second City Church of the Brethren, South Bend, as Dixie Barnhart, she was united in marriage to Clarence Murphy. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage until his passing on May 1, 2008. She was also preceded in death by a son, Michael Murphy on July 28, 2006, and two brothers, Clyde & Carl Barnhart.

She is survived by her two daughters, Carolyn Murphy of South Bend and Kathy (Scott) Dempsey of Mishawaka. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Hannah (Tim) Eicher, Lydia Sienicki, and Abby and Michael Dempsey, along with one great-grandson, Elijah Eicher, and her sister, Marilyn (Charles) Beaver of Joplin, MO.

Mrs. Murphy was a graduate of Washington - Clay High School. She worked alongside her husband at C. Murphy Paint & Glass Company in LaPorte, IN, for many years. She was a longtime member of Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, North Liberty, and the LaPorte Jaycees, where she helped her husband Clarence in the offices he held, as well as the LaPorte JaySHEES where she held offices.

Memorial Services for Mrs. Murphy will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, December 27, at Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, North Liberty, IN. Rev. Steve VanHouten, pastor will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Church.

Expression of sympathy on behalf of Mrs. Murphy may be offered to Pine Creek Church of the Brethren, 25075 Stanton Road, North Liberty, IN 46554, or to the American Lung Association, 55 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601. The Palmer Funeral Home-River Park Chapel, South Bend, is assisting the Murphy family with arrangements.

Online condolences to the family may be sent at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Dec. 9 to Dec. 22, 2015

10/24/2022 EJS