Dale E. Murphy

Dale E. Murphy, 96, of Springfield, passed away Monday December 19, 2016 in Forest Glen. He was born September 21, 1920 in Phoneton, OH the son of Jesse Franklin and Stella Belle (Shaffer) Murphy. Mr. Murphy served in the United States Army, 106th Infantry Division during WWII, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was captured on December 19, 1944 and remained a POW until the war ended in April 1945. Dale retired from the SPECO Division of Kelsey-Hayes with forty-four years of service and was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for sixty-nine years until its closing, then transferred to Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the SPECO 20 year Club, the 106th Infantry Division Association, and the American Ex-Prisoners of War, attending their meetings until the last few months. Dale is survived by his daughter-in-law Kathryn D. Murphy of Springfield, her extended family, and friend Ron Green; nephews Larry Kaffenbarger of New Carlisle, Fred McAtee of Springfield, Paul Gaier of Southern Ohio, and Philip Gaier of Springfield; and other extended family. He is preceded in death by his wife of fifty-five years Violet Murphy; his son Dale E. Murphy, Jr.; and his sister Helen Kaffenbarger. The service to honor Dale’s life will be Thursday at 2:00 PM. in Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. Larry Grunden officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Ferncliff Cemetery. The family is being served by the RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME. Memorial contributions may be made in Dale’s name to Good Shepherd Evangelical Church, 712 N. Fountain Ave., Springfield, OH 45503. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.