Gerald Dean Murphy , 74, of rural Columbia City, died peacefully at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, April 3, 2021, at his home.

He was born April 1, 1947, at Luckey Hospital in Wolf Lake, Indiana, a son of the late Delford and Marjorie L. (Ebey) Murphy. Growing up in Noble County, he graduated from Albion Jefferson High School in 1965.

He joined the U.S. Air Force on February 3, 1966, receiving an honorable discharge on December 8, 1969.

On January 23, 1966, he married Beverly R. Schroeder. After his discharge, the couple made their home near Wolf Lake, moving to Columbia City in 1978.

He began working for Kraft Foods, Kendallville for about ten years before joining Dana Corporation, Churubusco, and then the Syracuse plant retiring June 1, 2005, with 30 years of service.

Preferring to stay at his home, he grew an annual vegetable garden and liked to do property maintenance. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and would make a yearly fishing trip to Canada. During basketball season, he followed IU Basketball. Spending time with family and especially grandkids was always a priority and a joy.

He attended The Warehouse, Columbia City.

Surviving is his wife of 55 years, Beverly; children, Heather (Carl) Brown of Columbia City; grandchildren, Westley Murphy, Adriana Brown, and Arielle Brown; a great-grandson, Easton Smith; and a step-mother, Margaret Murphy.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by sons, Gerald D. Murphy, Jr. and Jeffrey A. Murphy; and a sister Bonnie Jean Hile.

The funeral service is 10 a.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. The burial is at the Christian Chapel Cemetery at Merriam. Visitation 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Parkview Whitley Home Health and Hospice.