Daniel Arthur Murphy

Murph was born May 11, 1951, in Portage, the son of Kenneth Duke and Alice (Heinickle) Murphy. He graduated from Portage High School in 1969. Murph went on to earn a degree at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, and soon after began his career as a teacher of special-needs children at Chileda, where he enjoyed a special rapport with both co-workers and the children. Murph worked at Chileda for 38 years, moving with them from Stevens Point to LaCrosse. He was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds, the Duke Blue Devils, and the Green Bay Packers. He was generous and kind hearted, his greatest joy found in giving to others. He is survived by his sister Linda (Paul) Wescott of Yakutat, Alaska; niece Elizabeth (Dan) Wescott-Voci and great-niece Petra of Scottsdale, Arizona; niece Emily (Matt) Deach and great- niece and nephew Adalia and Charlie of Skagway, Alaska; uncle and aunts Tom and Kathy Murphy of Radisson, Kate Murphy and Marian Murphy Devine of Portage, and Audrey Murphy of Appleton; other relatives and many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.Though his heart finally failed, his good heartedness remained to the end.A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home in LaCrosse. A gathering for friends and family will follow at Murphs house. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Murphs memory.