Ervin Mcmurphy

Ervin McMurphy Ervin McMurphy, 82, of Atlanta, MI passed away surrounded by his family at his residence on August 19, 2010. He was born to Hoy and Mae McMuprhy on December 15, 1927 and lived his entire life ½ a mile from where he was born on McMurphy Rd. He graduated from Atlanta High School and married the love of his life, Eileen, in 1946. They were blessed with a son, Gary & Pam McMurphy of Atlanta and a daughter Carol Ann Moore of Mt. Pleasant, NC. He had four grandsons and seven great grandchildren. He is survived by 3 brothers; Oral "Mick" & Arvella "Sis" McMurphy, Jack & Cena McMurphy, Doug & Cleo McMurphy and 2 sisters; Hazel & Bud Teets and Gladys Meston. Ervin was an independent business man starting out with a coal and gravel business, the former IGA store in Atlanta in the 50's, the Ford Motor Sales, Standard Station, and a Snowmobile Dealership, in the 60's, and a milk hauling business for MI Milk Producers for 33 years with the last 8 of them being in partnership with his son, Gary. He built two office buildings and leased them to the Dept. of Social Services. He built four homes and served on the Building Committee of the Atlanta Congregational Church of which he was a devoted member since 1952 serving on the Board in many capacities. He was instrumental in building the Atlanta Masonic Lodge that he was a member of for 51 years having held every office but Secretary. He was the Mason of the Year twice as well as the Mason of the District. He loved the Lodge and his brother Masons and what Masonry stands for. He also belonged to the Shriner's since the 70's. He was a Bank Director for 24 years with the local bank. Ervin was a Charter Member of the Atlanta Eagles Club serving 55 years. He was the first member to join the Atlanta Lions Club after they received their charter and was an active member for over 55 years. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Award in 1991 and enjoyed cooking the pancakes for the annual Pancake Breakfasts the Lions provide several times a year. Erv was an enthusiastic member of the Rod and Gun Club, a charter member of the reorganized club serving as President. He was a member of the Senior Citizens, helped start the Little League Organization in Atlanta and managed a little league team. Mr. McMurphy also served on the Board of Canvassers for a number of years along with 2 terms on the school board.. Erv was an avid outdoors man who loved hunting, fishing, picking mushrooms/berries/fruit, and anything to do with nature. He was always ready to travel but loved coming home just as much. He loved playing cards any time of the day or night. Ervin loved being with and doing for his family very much. He also loved being involved with the Atlanta Community and everyone in it. Part of his reminiscing, as told by him, included the following: "I was fortunate to be able to hunt in a lot of different places., Black bear in Northern Manitoba along with lots of big fish. I made 6 trips to Alaska where I hunted caribou and one of them 5 friends and I floated down the Yukon River for 6 days. I caught a 9'4" sail fish off the coast of Mexico. I got antelope and a nice elk in WY along with some mule deer and a bobcat. I hunted pheasant in MI and SC and I was lucky enough to get 11 moose from different areas. I killed my first legal buck when I was 14 on the farm and don't think I missed a year since. Several years getting 2 or more deer in a season. I am part owner of a cabin we built in Canada in the 60's and several friends and family have enjoyed visiting. We mainly do fishing in the recent past but did a lot of moose and bird hunting there. I even got a wolf there. I spent several years hunting deer in Saskatchewan were I got several nice trophies. I think I saw all 50 states, all the Providences of Canada, Mexico, South America and some of the Carribean Islands. I feel I have lived a very full and rich life." As were his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at the Atlanta Elementary Gymnasium on Sunday, August 29, at 2:00 PM, Pastor Ginny Titus officiating. Visitation hours will be held on Saturday from 4-7 PM at the Green Funeral Home, Atlanta, MI, with Masonic services concluding the evening, beginning at 7:00. Contributions could be made to Hospice of MI, Alpena Chapter or the Atlanta Congregational Church. Condolence messages can be sent via our website, www.greenfuneralhomes.com.
Ervin was an independent business man starting out with a coal and gravel business, the former IGA store in Atlanta in the 50's, the Ford Motor Sales, Standard Station, and a Snowmobile Dealership, in the 60's, and a milk hauling business for MI Milk Producers for 33 years with the last 8 of them being in partnership with his son, Gary. He built two office buildings and leased them to the Dept. of Social Services. He built four homes and served on the Building Committee of the Atlanta Congregational Church of which he was a devoted member since 1952 serving on the Board in many capacities. He was instrumental in building the Atlanta Masonic Lodge that he was a member of for 51 years having held every office but Secretary. He was the Mason of the Year twice as well as the Mason of the District. He loved the Lodge and his brother Masons and what Masonry stands for. He also belonged to the Shriner's since the 70's. He was a Bank Director for 24 years with the local bank.
Ervin was a Charter Member of the Atlanta Eagles Club serving 55 years. He was the first member to join the Atlanta Lions Club after they received their charter and was an active member for over 55 years. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Award in 1991 and enjoyed cooking the pancakes for the annual Pancake Breakfasts the Lions provide several times a year. Erv was an enthusiastic member of the Rod and Gun Club, a charter member of the reorganized club serving as President. He was a member of the Senior Citizens, helped start the Little League Organization in Atlanta and managed a little league team. Mr. McMurphy also served on the Board of Canvassers for a number of years along with 2 terms on the school board..
Erv was an avid outdoors man who loved hunting, fishing, picking mushrooms/berries/fruit, and anything to do with nature. He was always ready to travel but loved coming home just as much. He loved playing cards any time of the day or night. Ervin loved being with and doing for his family very much. He also loved being involved with the Atlanta Community and everyone in it.
Part of his reminiscing, as told by him, included the following: "I was fortunate to be able to hunt in a lot of different places., Black bear in Northern Manitoba along with lots of big fish. I made 6 trips to Alaska where I hunted caribou and one of them 5 friends and I floated down the Yukon River for 6 days. I caught a 9'4" sail fish off the coast of Mexico. I got antelope and a nice elk in WY along with some mule deer and a bobcat. I hunted pheasant in MI and SC and I was lucky enough to get 11 moose from different areas. I killed my first legal buck when I was 14 on the farm and don't think I missed a year since. Several years getting 2 or more deer in a season. I am part owner of a cabin we built in Canada in the 60's and several friends and family have enjoyed visiting. We mainly do fishing in the recent past but did a lot of moose and bird hunting there. I even got a wolf there. I spent several years hunting deer in Saskatchewan were I got several nice trophies. I think I saw all 50 states, all the Providences of Canada, Mexico, South America and some of the Carribean Islands. I feel I have lived a very full and rich life."
As were his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at the Atlanta Elementary Gymnasium on Sunday, August 29, at 2:00 PM, Pastor Ginny Titus officiating. Visitation hours will be held on Saturday from 4-7 PM at the Green Funeral Home, Atlanta, MI, with Masonic services concluding the evening, beginning at 7:00. Contributions could be made to Hospice of MI, Alpena Chapter or the Atlanta Congregational Church. Condolence messages can be sent via our website, www.greenfuneralhomes.com.