L. Ralph Murphy, 81, of rural Wabash, Indiana, died Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at his home. He was born on July 20, 1944, in Wabash, to Ralph C. and Alice (Zimmer) Murphy.
Ralph attended Noble High School in Wabash for three years and graduated from Southwood High School in 1963. He married Beverly "Kay" Garner in Wabash on May 28, 1966; she died May 10, 2015. Ralph was a retired farmer and also worked as a firefighter for Wabash City Fire Department for 20 years. He was a member of Asbury Country Church in Wabash, and the Tractor Pullers Association. Ralph's number one hobby was tractor pulling. He finished in third place in the corn husking competition at the state fair at the age of 75, and was also a 10 time state champion.
He is survived by three sons, Todd (Angie) Murphy and Brian (Amie) Murphy both of Wabash, and Jay (Brandi) Murphy of LaFontaine, Indiana, six grandchildren, Elizabeth Murphy, Kristen Tackett, Emily Dreblow, Kaitlyn Ryder, Brylee Murphy, and Brayden Murphy, six great-grandchildren, and his sister, Barbara Barnhiser of Richmond, Indiana. He was also preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Mike Bullick officiating. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Tuesday, at the funeral home.
The memorial guest book for Ralph may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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