Robert Murphy

Robert J. “Mike” MurphyA funeral service for Robert “Mike” Murphy, 87, of Baker, will be 10:00 a. m. , Saturday, March 28, 2015 in the Baker Community Church in Baker with Pastor Neva Rathbun officiating. Burial will take place in Bonnievale Cemetery. Visitation for Mike will be 4:00 p. m. to 8:00 p. m. , Friday, March 27, 2015 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker with a prayer service being held at 6:00 p. m. Mike passed away Monday, March 23, 2015 at Fallon Medical Complex in Baker. Robert James (Mike) Murphy was born on February 17, 1928 the son of James and Martha (Hasty) Murphy. Since Jim was Irish, he told Martha, “I don’t care what you name him, I’m calling him Mike,” because of his brother, Pat. They were born on the same day eight years a part. Mike’s education started at the Yellowstone country school, later boarding in town with the Pat Hanley family to complete high school. Mike even skipped a year due to his brothers serving in WW II was still able to graduate in 1946. During High School he was a member of the Glee Club and band. Mike worked a short time at Lewiston, ID in a lumber mill but returned due to his dad’s health. He was united in marriage to Esther I. Williams on May 27, 1951. To this union eight children were born but only three survived. LaTonne (1953), Dan (1955), and Pat (1959). Due to Esther’s diabetes, they lost William, Michael and LaVonne. The couple worked for his mother until 1964 when Mike and Pat formed a partnership until Pat’s death in 1994. Mike had a great sense of humor and was always telling jokes or finding something witty to say. He loved going to auctions, cattle and horse sales, dances and card parties. Mike loved playing pinochle, whist, pitch and cribbage. He always had horses starting with ponies, appaloosas and lastly quarter horses. He had 25 annual sales. Mike raised registered Hereford cattle for many years. He was a member of the Cenex Board, 4-H Leader, SEMA, O’Fallon Historical Society, Fallon Memorial Hospital Board, AQHA, Hereford Assn, Production Credit Assn, R-Calf and a Life-Long member of the Community Church where he was baptized and married. Mike also enjoyed being a race horse judge at the county fair. Mike and Esther moved into Quality Care in 2010 and has always called Baker home. Survivors include, a daughter, LaTonne Rae (Jim) Reetz, Baker, MT; two sons, Daniel Van Murphy, Baker, MT and Patrick James (Cheryl) Murphy, Miles City, MT; seven grandchildren, Jim Reetz Jr. , Michael Murphy, Russell Murphy, Ian Murphy, Jolene Setinc, JaNae Crawford and Madigan Shipstead; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Stark, Baker, MT; 13 nieces and nephews; a brother-in-law, Myron Williams; a sister-in-law Pat Williams both of Marmarth, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Esther; sons, Robert Jr. , John Michael, William, Roy and Michael Shawn; a daughter LaVonne Kay; a sister, Maragret (Lloyd) Anderson; brothers, Pat (Lois) Murphy, Roy and Harry Houston; grandsons, John Reetz and Mike Murphy and a brothers-in-law, Roy and John Williams. Memorial has been established for the Baker Community Church or to a charity of your choice.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: March 28, 2015
Church Baker Community Church

Funeral Services: Saturday, Baker Community Church, Baker, MT