Jerry G. Murphy, age 82 of North Fort Myers, Florida and formerly of Elwood, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2016 at Hope Hospice Center in Cape Coral, Florida. He was born November 13, 1933 in Elwood to Dallas and Grace Marie (Shepard) Murphy. Jerry grew up loving all kinds of sports. His claim to fame was while playing a basketball game his junior year at Wendell L. Willkie High School. With only one second to go in the game and Elwood down by one point, the ball was in-bounded to Jerry. He threw the ball full court and scored the winning basket. The crowd carried Jerry off the court to celebrate the important victory. Jerry graduated in 1953 from Wendell L. Willkie High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 and was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo, and in Germany. After his military service, Jerry worked at Continental Can until his retirement. On October 25, 1959, Jerry married Pamela Wolf. Jerry and Pam enjoyed a full life of travel and friendship. They raised and showed quarter horses and were members of the Indiana Quarter Horse Association for many years. After retirement, they owned a food truck and enjoyed serving people at the Church of God camp meetings, local festivals, and at auctions. They wintered in North Ft. Myers for several years and moved there full-time in 1996. They loved their many neighbors and friends at Buccaneer Estates. Jerry was an active member and served as head usher at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Ft. Myers. Jerry loved people, his faith, and his family. During his last six years, Jerry faithfully cared for his wife Pam who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pam; his sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Steve Sizelove of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his brother-in-law, Marion Riley of Elwood; nieces and nephews, Carol (Ed) John, J.D. (Linda) Connors, Janet (Richie) Brunnemer, Greg (Susan) Murphy, Patrick (Debbie) Riley, Jeannie (David) Pavese, all of Elwood, David (Joanne) Murphy of Summitville, Becky Murphy of Anderson, Amy (Rick) Sorrell of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Laura (Jim) Farmer of Augusta, Georgia. He also leaves behind many friends in Florida and Indiana and a special friend, Pat Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dallas and Grace Murphy; his brother and sister-in-law, Merle and Ann Murphy; his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Bill Connors; his sister, Rosemary Riley; his in-laws, Pete and Millie Wolf; and brother-in-law, Pat Wolf.

A memorial service celebrating Jerry's life will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home with Rev. Roger Gardner of East Main Street Christian Church officiating. Entombment will take place in the Elwood City Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home prior to the memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Elwood Community Service Club through the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to the Murphy family at: www.copherfeslermay.com.