R. Donald Murphy

R. Donald Murphy of Jefferson City, Missouri passed away Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Heisinger Bluffs.

Don was born in St. Louis on May 25,1930 to the late Russell and Eleanor (Eickoff) Murphy. Don married Lauretta Wesselschmidt on December 31, 1953 and shared almost 69 years together.

Don was employed at DeLong Steel for 25 years. He became a member of the Steel Joist Institute in 1972 and served on many committees. In 1991 he became the Managing Director of the Steel Joist Institute in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and served in that capacity through 2002. He then was the Technical Director from 2002-2004. Don received the SJI’s highest award, the Golden Joist Award in 2004. During his time at the Steel Joist Institute, he and Lauretta were able to travel to many beautiful places with a favorite being Sea Island, GA.

Don was a very devoted husband and enjoyed being a father, grandfather and especially a great-grandfather. He loved spending time in Vienna at “the farm” with his family. Golf was also a favorite pastime, mostly because he enjoyed being with his golfing buddies.

Don was a member of First United Methodist Church.  He was an active member of the Jefferson City Elks Lodge 513 for over 50 years serving in many capacities throughout the years including Exulted Ruler, a position he held in 1986-87.

Don is survived by his loving wife Lauretta; his daughter-in-law, Patricia Murphy, Milton, Wisconsin; a granddaughter, Jessica (Daniel) Kems, Kansas City; a grandson, Lucas (Katie) Murphy; a great-granddaughter, Amelia Murphy; a great-grandson, Brock Murphy, all of Milton, Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Vera (Russ) Julius, Rosebud and Anna Mae Wesselschmidt, Lees Summit; and a brother-in-law, Dennis (Jeanie) Wesselschmidt, Kansas City.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Dwayne (2015), sister-in-law, Rosie (Clint) Snyder (2016) and a brother-in-law, Donald Wesselschmidt (2022).

Visitation will be 10-11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at First United Methodist Church followed by the funeral at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Trevor Dancer officiating.

Burial will be at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at the New Haven Cemetery in New Haven, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heisinger Bluffs for the compassionate care Don received especially in the last several months. It was always fun to be around Don due to his quick wit and gentle demeanor. He will be greatly missed by many.

Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City.  trimblefunerals.com