Elmer Murphy

Elmer M. “Bun” Murphy, 93, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away August 14, 2014, at Carondelet Manor. Bun was born January 6, 1921 in Carroll County, Missouri, the son of Michael D. and Lydia Haney Murphy. He lived in Norborne, MO. until the age of 7, then moved to Kansas City in 1928. He graduated from East High School in 1938, and married Betty Henry on February 22, 1941. Bun served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater of Operations in WWII. He was a Platoon Staff Sgt. with the 104th Infantry Division, Recon Troop, Timberwolf Division, and assisted in the liberation of 3 concentration camps. Bun earned the EAME Ribbon with 2 Bronze Service Stars for his service in Northern France and the Rhineland. He was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Distinguished Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Ribbon. Bun was a life member of VFW Post 1829, DAV Chapter 2, and Teamsters Local #41. He retired in 1982 from Yellow Freight. Bun was an avid bowler at Premier Lanes, a member of the senior leagues, and captain of the “Bunslingers” team until May of 2014. He regularly went to the Hillcrest Community Center where he enjoyed cribbage and dom inoes. He loved all animals with a passion. He enjoyed reading, golf, musical theatre, going to movies and history. He was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church where he served as an usher and Eucharist minister. Bun was an Irishman thoroughly proud of his lineage and traveled to Ireland at the age of 80, touring the country and kissing the Blarney Stone. He was a great man of dignity and integrity, with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his daughter Jana (Ron) Swann, grandson, Rory Liberty, and great-granddaughter, Zoey Liberty, nieces and nephews, and his beloved companion Helen Hare. Bun was preceded in death by his wife Betty in 1998 after 57 years of marriage, his grandson, Cody Liberty, his parents, 3 brothers and 5 sisters. Visitation will be held from 12 pm until service time at 2 pm Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at Floral Hills Funeral Home. Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, suggested memorial contributions may be made to the Jay Grant Memorial Fund (Jay’s Swim Kids), c/o Jewish Community Foundation, 5801 W. 115th St., Overland Park, Ks. 66212, or Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, Utah, 84741. Condolences may be left at www.floralhillsfuneralhome.com.

Arr. D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO, (816) 353-1218.