Stephen "Steve" Michael Murphy

Stephen “Steve” Michael Murphy left this world to go home after a courageous battle with glioblastoma brain cancer on November 22. 2023 at 6:48 p.m., at the age of 65.  His family was with him, covering him in love, prayer, and song.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 am Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church.  Fr. Alex Gabriel will officiate along with Fr. Mike Quinn concelebrating. Burial will be in the Grand View Burial Park.

Visitation celebrating Steve's life will be held 4:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.  A prayer service will be held at 3:45 pm at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Steve was born on October 10, 1958 to Joseph B. Jr. and Patricia Sparks Murphy at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hannibal, MO.  His dad preceded him in death on Sept. 1, 2002.  His “Ma” continues to hold the family together.

Steve was blessed to be the third of eleven children born to Joe and Pat.  His childhood taught him the importance of being responsible for others, how to share, his love of babies, and certainly the value of pillows.  Steve always listed his siblings in order, counting on his fingers as he did so.  They remain here to carry on and are as follows:  Dan Murphy (Ruth); Joanne Renner (Richard); Tom Murphy (Abby); Carol Tolivar (Gary); Jim Murphy; Kathy Murphy (Frances); Mark Murphy (Sherry); Jean Murphy (Phil); Chris Nichols (Denny); and Mary Worthington (Kent).  Steve was previously married to Lisa (Zinn) Scharnhorst and was blessed with three children, who each brought him so much joy and pride:  Trent Murphy (Lori); Alissa Coons (Jared); and Leah Dittmer (Chase).  Steve married Jill Perry on June 12, 2023 after a 13-year courtship.  It was a true love story.  Steve welcomed with love two bonus sons when he met Jill:  Tyler Perry (Marisa); and Phillip Perry, who beat him to heaven in 2011.  From these children, Steve was blessed with eight grandchildren:  Madelyn Murphy, Julien and Harlen Dittmer; Reese, Sawyer, and Cannon Perry; and Addie and Trenton Fowler.  As you can imagine, he was lucky enough to have nieces and nephews galore and special niece Lindsay A. (Murphy) Greenwell preceded him death on August 5, 2020.   He cherished his big family as well as his loyal lifelong friend, Steve Golian, who survives.

Steve attended Catholic school from grades K-8 and graduated from Hannibal High School in 1977.  Steve was a talented contractor who, with his brother Tom, always worked with the highest degree of integrity.  Steve wanted it known that he did not enjoy woodworking, although he was good at it.

Steve loved things that began with the letter B:  the Blues, bacon, butter, beer, and barbecue.  In recent years, he added two Gs: golf and a renewed relationship with God.  Over the years, Steve has also enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting and reloading, fur trapping and tanning hides, muzzleloading, riding horses, competing in the sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting, watching spaghetti westerns, reading WWII history and Louis L’Amour novels, playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, listening to old country music, and learning new things.  He leaves us all with memories of his smile, laughter, sense of humor, his appreciation of naps, and his humility.

Pallbearers will be Dan Murphy, Tom Murphy, Richard Renner, Denny Nichols, Steve Golian, Jim Murphy, Mark Murphy, and Chase Dittmer.

Honorary pallbearers include Gary Tolivar and Kent Worthington.

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Parish, Knights of Columbus Council 907, or donor’s choice, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Steve's  memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com

Knights of Columbus Council #907
#1 Columbus Road, Hannibal MO 63401

Holy Family Catholic Church
218 S. Maple Street, Hannibal MO 63401
Tel: 1-573-221-1078
Web: http://www.myholyfamily.com

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