Obituaries

The Murphy family is deeply saddened to announce the loss of their husband, father,
grandfather, leader and role-model, Dennis Murphy. He died on June 24, at the age of
78, after a mighty battle against cancer and surrounded in love, with his family by his
side.
The son of William and Virginia Murphy, Dennis was born on February 8, 1943. He
married his bride, Sally Fitzgerald on July 13, 1968 at St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in
Oak Park, IL.
He graduated from St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN (1965) with a degree in biology. He
went on to study medicine at the University of Chicago and Loyola University’s Stritch
School of Medicine (1969). After his internship at Rockford Memorial Hospital (Rockford,
IL) and his service as a Captain in the US Air Force, his pediatric residencies at Mayo
Clinic (Rochester, MN), and Butterworth Hospital (Grand Rapids, MI), he began his first
practice at Lemont Peterson Clinic (Virginia, MN). He practiced briefly in Joliet, IL
before he settled in to practice pediatrics in St. Charles, IL. He devoted many years to
treating all of his patients with compassion and dedication. He even took on the task of
becoming a pediatric hospice doctor for Seasons Hospice, in addition to his regular practice.
He felt that each of his patients and their families deserved the empathy and dignity to
be comforted in even the most difficult times. He finally retired from practicing in the
fall of 2020.
His medical accomplishments were recognized by his many years of awards including,
Best Pediatrician of the Fox Valley from the Kane County Chronicle and Top Doctor from
the Chicago Magazine. However, no awards were as meaningful to him as the joy and
pride he felt by being able to help children.
His helpful and inquisitive spirit did not stop with his doctoring. He spent several years
serving on the St. Charles School Board advocating for fairness in quality education. He
served on the core committee that founded and volunteered many hours for the Crisis
Pregnancy Center and found it one of his life’s missions to speak to the value of life.
He went on to continue his education and get an MBA from Keller School of Management
and to also get his Real Estate License in the state of Illinois. He never stopped
challenging himself and learning new things.
His spirit of perpetual learning and growth is one that he passed on to his loving
children and grandchildren. He challenged each one of them to strive to reach their full
potential, to never stop learning and to never give up.
These inspired survivors include his wife Sally, his daughters Erin (Terry) Kaminski,
Carrie (Chris) Banas, his sons Scott (Tori) Murphy, Brent Murphy, his brother William
(Therese) Murphy, his grandchildren Ashley, Michael, Seamus, Taryn, Meghan, Brigid,
Keegan and Patrick, and his devoted dog, Yoda.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Patricia Murphy.
A visitation will be held at Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles, IL on June 30 from 4:00PM
– 8:00PM and a Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Neumann Parish on July 1 at
10:30AM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a memorial donation to
JourneyCare Foundation (Hospice Care for Children), 2050 Claire Court, Glenview, IL 60025
or online at www.journeycare.org OR to St. Mary’s University of Minnesota – Science
Programs, 700 Terrace Heights #21, Winona, MN 55987.

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