Francis Earl Murphy

Celebrating a life well lived. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Francis Earl Murphy who departed this life on May 6, 2026 in Madison, WI. Francis was cherished by family, friends, and all who knew him, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and unwavering love. His remarkable spirit touched many lives, and his memory will remain forever in our hearts.

Born on March 21, 1933, Francis was known for his undying dedication to his wife Joanne, and his children, Dennis (Natalie) Murphy, Mary (Bob) Stoflet, Jim (Diana) Murphy, Diane (Pat) Alexander Gilbert, Maureen (Mike) Barsema and Carol (Brian) Vander Sluis-Bergen and all his grandchildren, Hilliary, Brad, Autumn, Lydia, Alicia, Rosalyn, Clarissa, Jamaal, Dominique, Katie, Melissa, Christi and Kyle, his great grandchildren, Preston, Parker, Jackson, Marley, Miles, Myzell, Urijah, Beckett, Brooke, Aiden and Tyler.   

Francis was a faith-filled loving man, attended Mass every day and prayed for his family, friends and peace in this world. He grew up on a farm in Arena, WI, where he learned the importance of family and faith in the Catholic church. He often spoke of his many farm memories. He walked in the footsteps of his dad and older brothers, taking care of the animals and cultivating the land. His first job at age five was to feed the chickens. He told many stories about farming, the hard work and special stories about the farm’s horses and dogs. Francis remembered all their names, recalling the special footprint they left on his heart. Francis delivered milk all around Arena and worked in a cheese factory. He eventually moved to Madison to become a dental technician. In Madison, he met the love of his life, Joanne (Neuheisel) Murphy. After raising six kids and eventually co-owning Precision Dental Lab, he retired to enjoy travel with Joanne, spending much time with his children & grandchildren, his brothers & sisters, in-laws and friends. Francis loved football, baseball, golf, bowling, music, Euchre, working on small engines, horses, dogs, cats, seeing shows, singing, dancing, laughing, and most of all being Irish. Slainte!

He will be forever remembered for his smile and his commitment to family & friends. Near the end he said, “I love everyone.” Preceding him in death were his beautiful wife, Joanne, his mother & father Earl &  Gladys Murphy, his siblings and in-laws Donald & Marilyn Murphy, Rosemary & Bud Olson, Harlan & Kathleen Murphy, Wendall Murphy, Robert Murphy, Earl Murphy, Jerry Murphy and Tom Murphy, Hubert & Celia Neuheisel, Eugene & Delores Neuheisel, and many other deeply cherished family members and friends.   

A special thank you to the angels at Sebring of The Coventry Village and Agrace Hospice Care. We would be lost without all of them helping Francis and the family get through this difficult time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Francis's life and honor his enduring mark on everyone’s hearts. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.

In Francis Murphy’s memory and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org), St. Thomas Acquinas Parish (www.stamadison.org) or Agrace Hospice Care (www.agrace.org).  

Francis will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through the stories, laughter, and love he shared with all of us. We thank God for His gift of Francis.

“Some day you will hear that Francis Murphy is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761