Mehrl L. Murphy, Sr.

Mehrl L. Murphy, Sr., 83, of Frederick, died on Thursday, March 17, 2011, at the Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Margaret E. "Jimmie" Ford Murphy. Born in Frederick, on May 22, 1927, he was a son of the late John W. and Virgie Watkins Murphy. Mr. Murphy proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WW II. He had worked at the American Optical Company and was retired from Eastalco Company. He was an active member of the Francis Scott Key American Legion Post # 11, where he was a past commander and also a past Frederick County Commander. He was awarded an Honorary Life membership for his service. He was also a member of the 40/8 Club of the Legion. Mehrl was a member of the Amvets Post # 2, Frederick and the VFW Post # 6658, Emmitsburg, and also was a life member of the Independent Hose Company. For many years he worked hard at Camp West-Mar, an American Legion camp for under privileged children. At the end of his journey he was cared for by his very special granddaughters, Misty and Tanya and great grandson, Justin, also special friends, Sandy Minnick, Brenda Leith and the Hospice care givers. Mehrl enjoyed sports and was a fan of the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Redskins. He was always ready to help family, friends and neighbors at anytime for any help needed. Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Mehrl L. Murphy, Jr., and wife Beth, Carol Ann Hissey and husband Bryan, Ginger L. Hawes and Cathy D. Abshire, all of Frederick, one sister, Mildred Stitley, of Woodsboro, seven grandchildren, Jaime Shires, Bryan S. Hissey, Tanya Brown, Tara Edwards, Misty Murphy, Chad Abshire and Michael Murphy, and 13 great grandchildren, also surviving are nieces and a special nephew, Eric Measell. He was preceded in death by a sister, Arline Measell. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, March 21, 2011, from the Etchison Memorial Chapel of the funeral home. Interment will be in the Clustered Spires Cemetery, Fredrick. Pallbearers will be; Bryan S. Hissey, Chad Abshire, Tyler Jones, Michael Murphy, Andre Brown and Justin Brown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, P. O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702. Online condolences may be shared at keeneybasford.com.