Darrel Ellsworth Murphy

Darrel Ellsworth Murphy, age 70, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Born March 1, 1947 in Tarrytown, NY, he was the son of the late Ellsworth Paul Murphy and Dorothy Arlene (Ertwine) Murphy. He was the devoted husband of Karen Louise (Bailey) Murphy to whom he had been married for 30 years.
He graduated Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School in 1965. He helped his mother run the family’s upholstery shop, E. Murphy & Sons Upholstery, in Mechanicsburg after his father’s passing in 1970 and then took over running it with his wife in 2006 after his mother’s passing. Known for his talents to tackle any upholstery project that his customers brought in the door whether it involved boat seats, convertible car tops, sleighs, decorative bathtubs, you name it, Darrel could figure out a way to get the job done.
He considered upholstering work his hobby along with telling stories with the best of them. Customers and friends would stop in the shop just to talk to Darrel and share a story or two. He often left them laughing as they walked out the door. He had a great sense of humor, you were guaranteed a laugh when he was around. Darrel continued the sponsorship of a Little League Team that his parents began and was proud last year to receive a 50th anniversary trophy marking the business’ longtime sponsorship of this youth activity.
Darrel was loved by friends and family alike. He enjoyed spending time with them, playing with his daughter’s dogs, going to Friday night dinner with his dear friends, going to Wildwood, even though he didn’t like the sand, driving his Cadillac, and he often boasted that his great nephew Callan said he “knows everything.”
In addition to his loving wife he is survived by a son, Shannon (and wife Karen) of Etters, and two daughters, Dana of Carlisle and Tracy (and husband Roger) Smith of Carlisle; three grandsons, Dylan, Nathan, and Nicholas; two great granddaughters, Nevaeh and Delaney; two brothers, Tyson (and wife Joan) of Mechanicsburg, and Danne (and wife Tish) of Nokomis, FL; four sisters, Dorlene (and husband Tim) Morgan of Enola, Ellene Murphy of Mechanicsburg, Karen Murphy of Harrisburg, and Jan Murphy Repman (and husband Tim) of Etters; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a viewing from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, July 12 at Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 13, at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 117 W. Keller Street Mechanicsburg, PA with Pastor Eric Anderson officiating. There will be a viewing at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be at Westminster Memorial Gardens following the service.
The family would like to thank the physicians and nursing staff at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for their care and concern during his prolonged illness.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 117 W. Keller St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 or to Mechanicsburg Little League, 211 N. Arch St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
To sign the guestbook, please visit www.HoffmanFH.com.