G. Everett Murphy, 81, of Seneca, KS, died Wednesday, May 30, 2001, at Crestview Manor care home in Seneca. He had been a resident there since April 1997. He suffered a severe stroke in July 1996.

He was born December 21, 1919, on a farm northwest of Detroit, KS, the son of Walter A. and Ada E. Wilsey Murphy. Everett grew up on the farm and attended rural schools. In 1937 he graduated from Chapman High School. He attended Kansas State Agricultural College for a year on a Sears & Roebuck scholarship. Before entering the U.S. Army in February of 1942, he worked in the USDA offices in Dickinson County. After serving in Europe, he was discharged in October of 1945. He returned to Abilene and worked at the Soil Conservation Service and then returned to college. After graduating from Kansas State University in 1950, he came to Seneca for three months training in soil conservation. He became the soil conservationist for Nemaha County, after Robert Yunghans was called into the service. He served and did an outstanding job until he retired in 1975.

Everett also farmed in the area. He worked part time on the Delaware Water Shed project at Holton, KS while at the conservation office. He was elected as a Nemaha County Commissioner in 1976, and served two terms.

On September 5, 1948, he married Dorothy Pearl Cooley in Abilene. She survives of the home in Seneca.

He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, where he was a trustee, moderator, and sang in the choir; the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion; the Seneca Lodge #39 AF & AM, where he had served as master; the Nemaha Chapter #32 of the Royal Arch Masons, and the Seneca Commandry #4; all in Seneca. He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #164 in Marysville, where he had served as worthy patron, and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. For many years he was involved with 4-H clubs.

Survivors besides his wife Dorothy Pearl are four sons, Stanley Murphy of Seneca, George Murphy of Henderson, NV, Walter Murphy of Lawrence, KS, Phillip Murphy of Topeka; three daughters, Donna Thoele of Topeka, Joyce Koch of Beattie, KS, and Nelda Appell of Wichita; a brother, John Murphy of Hope, KS; 14 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

Funeral service will be 1:30 PM Sunday, June 3, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Burial will be with full military honors in the Seneca City Cemetery. Family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 8 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Masonic rites will be conducted by the Seneca Lodge.

Memorials may be given for the First Congregational United Church of Christ, the Seneca Lodge, or Crestview Manor, and sent in care of the family.