Virgil J. Murphy, 90, of Farley, Iowa passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 12:55 p.m. at Luther Manor in Dubuque, Iowa.

Friends and relatives of Virgil may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 12, 2018 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday.

Services for Virgil will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2018 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa with Rev. Michael Schueller Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Farley, Iowa with full military honors afforded by the Dubuque American Legion Post # 6.

He was born November 28, 1927 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of James and Lucella (Harks) Murphy. He received his education in the Nativity schools in Dubque, Iowa. On May 10, 1952 he was united in marriage to Alvina Steil at St. Philomena's Catholic Church in Asbury, Iowa. Virgil farmed in the rural Dubuque and Farley areas since 1957. He was a United States Navy Veteran having served during World War II.
He was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Farley, Iowa and the Dubuque American Legion Post #6.

Virgil enjoyed growing his family farm with his right hand gal. Farming was never a job for Virgil, it was his life and passion! He also enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren; and felt blessed to enjoy their many friends and neighbors over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Alvina Murphy of Farley, Iowa; four children, Debra (Paul) Jarding of Dubuque, IA, Kathryn (Jon) Berkley of Dubuque, IA, James Murphy of Farley, IA, and Daniel (Christine) Murphy of Farley, IA; 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; one sister, Eileen (Duane) Bruening of Decorah, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law, Betty Murphy of Dubuque, IA, Gerald (Gloria) Steil of LaMotte, IA, James (Jean) Steil of Asbury, IA, LaVern (Elaine) Steil of Dubuque, IA, Jude Steil of Bettendorf, IA, Norman Steil of Dubuque, IA, Mary Ann Derouin of Bristol, WI.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two grandsons, Zachary Pust on September 10, 1992 and James C. Murphy on July 18, 2009; one brother, Louis Murphy; father and mother-in-law, Clement and Matilda Steil; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leonard Steil, Mary Ann Steil, Donald Derouin, Evelyn (Albert) Beecher, and Eleanor (Donald) Lombardi.