James 'Tom' Murphy

James T. Murphy, known as Tom by all of his friends, passed away at 10:18am on Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born in Penfield, IL, the son of James M. and Maree (Dailey) Murphy. He married Elinor Banach on September 16, 1961 at the old St. Patrick Church (now Holy Family) in Danville. He is survived by his wife, Elinor, and his two children, Susan M. (Paul) Terlak of Westmont, IL, and David J. (Nancy) Murphy of St. Louis, MO. Three grandsons, P Charles, James L, John David Terlak, and a granddaughter, Emily Terlak, also survive Tom. He is predeceased by his parents and three sisters, Patricia Carlson of Peoria, Eileen McCabe of Champaign, Sr. Mary Vivian Murphy of Springfield, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins of the Dailey and Murphy families. He attended St. Lawrence Grade School for four years and finished his elementary education in a one-room school house taught by his mother and graduated from Rantoul High School in 1950. After high school, he was a member of the Illinois National Guard, 106th Tank Battalion, and was called to service during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he attended and graduated from the Colbert/Illinois Business College. His first job was with Producers Dairy in Champaign-Urbana which turned into a 50 year career with the same organization, which became Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. He retired as Regional Manager in 2004. Tom was a member of the Rantoul Legion honor guard while in his twenties, and a lifetime member of the 3rd and 4th degrees of the K of C Club, holding offices including Faithful Navigator of the Fourth Degree, as well as a lifetime member of Wolfe Creek Golf Club. He was an avid golfer and a fan of many sports. His favorite teams were the ones he had bets on to win. A Catholic Mass Service for James Tom Murphy will be held at 11:00am on Friday, February 11, 2011 at the Holy Family Catholic Church located at 444 East Main Street in Danville with entombment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery Visitation for family and friends will be from 4-8pm on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A life celebration home, located at 3940 N. Vermilion Street in Danville. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials may be made in Toms name to either the Holy Family Church or the donors favorite charity. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com