Jeff Murphy Obituary

Jeff was born in Madison, WI. on February 11,1951 to Edward J Murphy and Shirley (Reis) Speth. He passed away on June 11, 2025. He attended St. John's and Waunakee H.S. He graduated from Stout State College in 1973, with a degree in Industrial Arts. He married Molly (Mary McIlwee) on February 23, 1974. They moved to IL. where he taught industrial Arts in Rock falls and Paw, Paw for four years. He also taught adult Industrial Arts for Sinissipi technical school for 4 years. They moved back to Wisconsin where he taught in Waterloo, Wisconsin for 4 years and for MATC Adult night classes in Industrial Arts for 10 years. Jeff owned and operated Jeff Murphy Carpentry until his retirement. Jeff was a member of the Waunakee Village Board for 4 years and on the Committee that founded the Waunakee Conservancy. He was an active member of the community and assisted in many projects for the girl scouts and boy scouts. Jeff and his wife owned, renovated, and operated Murphy's Mill in downtown Waunakee. Jeff loved woodworking. He created one of a kind inlaid wood pictures (they were award winning) He had dreamed of going on the summer art circuit and displaying his artwork before his stroke in 2017. He enjoyed blacksmithing as a hobby and demonstrated at the Schumacher farm for years. He belonged to the Rock River Thresheree, Baraboo Steam and Gas clubs and UMBA blacksmithing club.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Molly, children, Bridgette Mastaglio, Patrick (Laura), and Meghan (Andrew) Moore, his six grandchildren; Preston, Brayden, Olivia, Bentlee, Kellan and Atli, his brothers; Brad and Tim.

He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws Bill and Darlene McIlwee, brother-in-law, Mike McIlwee, and sister-in-law, Geri Murphy and a son-in-law, James Mastaglio. 

There will be a Celebration of Life on September 21,2025, at the Waunakee Village Park, 410 E. Main Street. The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Dove Nursing and Rehabilitation for all their wonderful care.

Please share your memories of Jeff by posting in his Guestbook.

Winn-Cress Funeral Home

5785 Hwy Q

Waunakee, WI