Katherine A. Murphy, 71, of Chillicothe, passed at 11:21 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2026 in the Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center following an extended illness.
She was born February 27, 1955, of Ross County, to the late Richard and Mary Brown Proehl. On April 24, 1973, she married Dennis Murphy who survives.
Also surviving are a daughter, Denise Murphy; a son Richard Michael (Christina) Murphy; grandchildren, Autumn Murphy, Zachary Bryans, Sarah Murphy, Hunter Bryans and Ashton Bryans; great grandchildren, Kinzlee Bryans, Jordan Bryans and Bexley Bryans; brothers, Rick Proehl and Steven Proehl; sisters, Jenny Poole and Nancy (Brent) Arledge; nieces and nephews, Jillian (Brett) Bisbe, Daniel (Shanna) Poole, Collin (Heidi) Arledge, Keagan Arledge, Landen (Megan) Arledge and Gracyn Arledge; and a special friend, Amy Winfield.
Kathy retired from the United Way of Ross County where she had worked for 20 plus years. One of her proudest accomplishments, while working at the United Way, was bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Ross County. She had also worked for Boy Scouts of America – Simon Kenton Council and was a longtime volunteer for the Ross County Junior Fair Sale Committee.
Kathy will be remembered for her love, kindness and devotion to those who mattered most to her. Her family will miss her presence, her voice, her laughter and all the little things that made her uniquely Kathy.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2026 in the WARE FUNERAL HOME with Minister Reese Winfield officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the WARE FUNERAL HOME from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday.
You may sign her online register at warefh.com
Full service details and the family guest book are available at Ware Funeral Home.