Celeste M. Murphy, 100, of Long Grove, died peacefully Thursday July 9, 2026, at the Kahl Home, Davenport.
Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Celeste will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 15 (today), at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation was held from 4 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Ann’s, with a prayer service offered at 6:30 p.m. There will be additional visitation on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until Mass begins at St. Ann’s. Memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Parish or the Kahl Home. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Celeste Kulp was born Dec. 18, 1925, at Mercy Hospital in Davenport, a daughter of Raymond R. and Marie (Miller) Kulp. She graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in 1943 and attended Marycrest College. Celeste was united in marriage to William L. Murphy on Dec. 29, 1943, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. He preceded her in death on Jan. 17, 1994, a few weeks after they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Celeste devoted her life to being a domestic engineer — a dedicated mother who raised 15 children. She was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and was active in the parish Guild. Celeste was an enthusiastic fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Kansas City Chiefs, and, of course, Caitlin Clark, rarely missing a game on television. She also enjoyed painting, drawing, as well as playing cards and bingo with her family and community at the Kahl Home.
Those left to honor her memory are her children: Kathryn Martin (the late John) of Davenport, Gerald Murphy (the late Pam) of Davenport, the late Paul (Kathy) Murphy of Davenport, Donald Murphy of Eldridge, Joanne Barnabas of Davenport, David Murphy of Long Grove, Brian (Deonne) Murphy of Donahue, Thomas (Cindy) Murphy of Long Grove, Mary (Albert) Hess of Princeton, Carol Murphy (Kentucky) of Kansas City, Mo., Jill Wriedt (Craig) of Davenport, Mark (Becky) Murphy of Eldridge, Jim (Karen) Murphy of Donahue, Steve (Sue) Murphy of Long Grove, and Mike (Janice) Murphy of Long Grove. She has 37 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, son, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law, she was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Richard Kulp, Mary Alice (Lawrence) Smith, Paul (Dolores) Kulp, and Marjorie Kulp. May they rest in eternal peace.
The Murphy family would like to thank the sisters, nurses, and staff of the Kahl Home for all of the loving and compassionate care shown to Celeste.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting Celeste’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
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