Joseph T. Malphy, 87, of Elroy passed away Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Heritage Manor in Elroy.
He was born Aug. 25, 1925, to John and Nell (Kinsella) Malphy in Ontario, where he also attended school. He grew to adulthood in the Ontario, St. Mary’s – Cashton, and Hillsboro areas, where he worked on the family farm and for local farmers as well.
Joe also worked at Tillman Produce in Wilton, Leer Manufacturing in New Lisbon and Ray-O-Vac in Wonewoc, plus he was a construction equipment operator for his brother, Donald, with Arthur Overgaard Construction of Elroy, and logged with Tom Lamb of Ontario.
He was a loving husband and great father who spent time helping family and friends alike. Joe usually expressed his views in his way. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and working in the woods; family outings; and rides and traveling through Wisconsin and the northwest United States.
Joseph was united in marriage to Gloria (Grilley) Williams on Dec. 9, 1964, in Caledonia, Minn.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Gloria of Elroy; his sons, John (Bev) Malphy of Mindoro, Wis., Bobby Williams of Elroy and Randy Williams of Kendall; his granddaughter, Jamie (Dan) Olson of Sparta; his great-grandchildren, Maverick and Miranda Olson; his sister, Mary O’Connor of Elroy; his brother-in-law, Adolph Burdick of Elroy; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Clarence and Jessie (Burdick) Grilley of Granite Falls, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Rodney Williams; a daughter, Kathy Malphy (Young) Peterson; a son-in-law, Martin Peterson; his sisters, Madeline (Max) Walker, Patricia (Myron) Arttus, Rita (Byron) Lawrence and Rose Burdick; and a brother, Donald Malphy.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the Picha Funeral Home in Elroy. Friends may call at the Picha Funeral Home on Monday from 4-7 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. For online information, go to www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
