Elizabeth "Betty" Murphy

Elizabeth "Betty" Jane (Purcell) Murphy of rural Bradford passed away Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was born July 6, 1921, to Edward and Elizabeth (Colgan) Purcell. She married John L. Murphy on Sept. 14, 1946, at St. Mary of the Woods in Princeville. He preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 1992. She is survived by three sons, Patrick (Kate) of Granger, Ind., Thomas (Mary) of Tiskilwa and John R. (Jamie) of Bradford; four daughters, Anne and Marilyn, both of Chicago, Mary Jo (Tom) Anderson of Bloomington, Minn., and Sheila (Nigel) Smith of Ottawa; one brother, Joseph Purcell of Peoria Heights; one sister, JoAnne Shekleton of Peoria; eight grandchildren, Bob (Kerrie), Brendan (Aly), Jim (Natalie), Dave (Jessica), Matt, Erin, Natalie and Ryan; two great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Henry; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Cahill of Palatine. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ellen (Joseph) Boylan; and one brother, the Rev. Edward Purcell. Elizabeth was a member of St. Patrick''s Church in Camp Grove, its Altar and Rosary Society and the Daughters of Isabella. She taught CCD for many years and served as an election judge for Marshall County. Elizabeth was a loving and devoted daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend. She most enjoyed spending time with her children and family. Her many interests included raising chickens, baking award-winning desserts and gardening. She was very proud of her “career” at Block and Kuhl. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Bradford, with the rosary recited at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Bradford at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, with burial to be in St. Patrick''s Catholic Cemetery, Camp Grove. The Rev. Vien Van Do will officiate. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick''s Cemetery Fund, Bradford Rescue Squad or Alzheimer''s Association.