Joyce Murphy Obituary

Joyce Elizabeth Murphy

Jun 11, 1936 - Sep 10, 2025

Port Clinton

Joyce Elizabeth Murphy, 89, of Port Clinton, passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky. Joyce was born June 11, 1936, in Port Clinton, in the family home on Perry Street. She was delivered by her grandfather, Dr. Yeisley, the local doctor. During high school, she moved to the family farm on Englebeck Road. She was the daughter of Bernell and Mildred (Yeisley) Englebeck. Joyce worked for Job and Family Services. She was a devout Lutheran worshiping at several local churches.

Surviving are her children, Mary Beth (Paul) Dubuc of Columbus, Kathleen (Chuck Lawler) Murphy of Sante Fe, New Mexico, and Michael Murphy of Phoenix, Arizona; grandchildren, Jessica (Lucas) Seitz of Jenison, Michigan, and Bryan Dubuc of Ashville, North Carolina; great-grandchildren, Mya and Bryce Seitz; brother, John (Pat) Englebeck of Marblehead; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Virgil D. "Murph" Murphy, November 22, 2019.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers who served her for many years at Otterbein North Shore. They are also grateful for her friends, Lori Letterhouse and Vicki Whitted, who visited her faithfully for many years.

Joyce was a Goldwater Republican who avidly worked for the party in many ways: pole worker, recruiter of candidates, supporter of candidates, founder and coordinator of the Republican Lunch Bunch. She was an original member of Cochran's Majorettes in Port Clinton. Having been born and raised in Port Clinton, she was a big promoter of the city. She was the co-founder of the Port Clinton Garden Club and, most recently, enjoyed membership in Catawba Island Garden Club. Her yard was filled with flowers that she was always willing to share. In recent years, she enjoyed wheelchair rides through Lakeside to see the beautiful flowers. She was committed to her Christian Faith and showed it by serving in any church she was a member and even doing one-on-one bible studies when the opportunity arose. She never met a stranger that she didn't welcome as a friend. May her memory be a blessing to all.

Friends and family will be received from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home, 1124 Fulton St. Port Clinton, OH 43452. Funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, September 15, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, 207 Adams St., Port Clinton, with the Rev. Jarrod Schaaf officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Island Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Otterbein North Shore-Nursing Scholarship or Catawba Island Garden Club.

Online condolences can be made at http://www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com