Community Corner
Line Out The Door At Funeral Services For Veteran Without Family
Authorities haven't had any success getting in contact with Vietnam veteran John James Murphy's family members, the Daily Herald said.
ELGIN, IL — Lines were out the door Wednesday as people filled an Elgin funeral home to honor the life of a Vietnam War veteran most of them never met, NBC Chicago reported. Dan and Joy Symonds, the owners of Symonds-Madison Funeral Home invited people to attend services for John James Murphy, an Elgin man who was 71 years old when he died on Dec. 18 at Presence St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, and authorities didn't have any success getting in contact with his family members.
>> Photos of Wednesday's services
Kane County Coroner Rob Russell told the Daily Herald he contacted the VA when his office couldn't find Murphy's relatives, and the VA directed him to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home in Elgin, at 305 Park Street.
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Murphy, who moved to River View Rehab Center in 2017, was a jet engine mechanic in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1969 and earned many awards. The funeral home will keep his flag for his relatives in case they come forward, the Symonds told the Daily Herald.
More information: symondsmadisonfuneralhome.com.
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