Margaret P. Murphy, 81, of Columbia City, died peacefully at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Millers Merry Manor, Columbia City, where she had been a resident since May 13th of this year.

She was born November 19, 1939, in York Township, Noble County, Indiana, a daughter of the late Oscar and Gladys (Stewart) Ebey. Growing up in the Albion area, she graduated from Albion High School in 1957.

On January 2, 1986, she married Delford Murphy. They made their home in Columbia City. Delford died on July 28, 1991.

A beautician, she owned and operated a shop in Wolf Lake from 1957 until 1985.  After retiring, she worked part-time for The Oaks, Columbia City as a dietary aide for several years.

She was a 75-year member of the Wolf Lake United Methodist Church.

In her senior years, she had regular luncheon dates every Tuesday and Thursday with her grand-niece, Jenny. Later it became every Tuesday night dinner followed by a game of Yahtzee, Uno, or Rummikub. Margaret's birthday was a special event as the two, and other family members would spend the entire day together.  Margaret relished time with family.

Surviving is her great-niece Jenny (Ken) Button of Columbia City; a sister-in-law Nyla Ebey; a nephew-in-law, Paul (Ruth) Hile; a niece-in-law, Beverly Murphy all of Columbia City; and several nieces and nephews.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by brothers Oscar Jr., Philip, and Ottnel Ebey; sisters Thelma Long, Mary Jane Dickenson, Marjorie Murphy; and infant sisters Martha and Matilda Ebey.

The funeral service is 11 a.m. Saturday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home in Columbia City. Burial is at Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam. Visitation is 10 a.m. until the service Saturday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Wolf Lake United Methodist Church.