Mark Philip and Nancy Kay Murphy

Nancy Kay and Mark Philip Murphy passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident. Mark, age 70, was born April 4, 1955, to Philip and Jeanne (Baumgartner) Murphy in Toledo, Ohio. He was a 1974 graduate of Clay High School and began working at a young age at his family’s True Value Hardware Store at the Great Eastern Shopping Center. Nancy Kay, age 58, was born to Orville Yant and Nancy (Clapsaddle) on March 29, 1967, in Toledo, Ohio. She was a 1985 graduate of Lake High School.

Nancy began her career working as a manager at the Value City Furniture Store at the Great Eastern Shopping Center. They met when Nancy went to the hardware store to get some keys made. Mark had his eyes on Nancy ever since. They were married on December 3, 1994, 31 years ago.

After True Value Hardware store closed, Mark worked for Menard’s and later Janney’s Service Center in Toledo, where his wife joined him in 2024.

Nancy also worked at the obituary department editor for the Toledo Blade, as a church secretary for two Toledo parishes (Memorial United Church of Christ and Calvin United Church of Christ), and at an Oregon church, Faith United Methodist Church. She was very well loved by each parish she served.

Nancy was known for her love of cats and for fostering many neighborhood cats. She loved her many indoor cats. Nancy collected Cat’s Meow Village wooden replicas and thoroughly loved Christmas. Mark was a talented organist playing for several local Toledo churches, including Clark Street United Methodist, Calvin UCC, and St. Mark Lutheran Church. He also played organ for Yondota Chapter #13 and several chapters in the local Eastern Star District, as well as local districts. Mark and Nancy were members at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Toledo, where Nancy served as a leader of the church’s Stephen Ministry program.

Mark and Nancy were very active with the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star. Mark was presently serving as Worthy Patron of Yondota Chapter #317 in Millbury, OH. He was also a member of the Woodbine Chapter in Pemberville, where he had recently served as Worthy Patron. Nancy was a Past Matron of Yondota Chapter, and presently serving the Chapter in the Station of Ruth. She was also currently serving the Eastern Star District 6 Association as Vice President. Additionally, she was a member of the former Woodbine Chapter in Pemberville, where she held several Star Point stations, and was commissioned by the Grand Chapter of Ohio as Grand Representative of KY in OH.

Mark and Nancy Kay were a couple who served the community together. They loved being of service and volunteered often. Mark and Nancy truly led their lives with strong faith and servant hearts. They loved the Lord. Many people were considered close friends of Mark and Nancy Kay and will miss them deeply. Their absence will be felt by many.

Mark and Nancy are survived by Nancy Kay’s siblings, Matthew (Shawna) Wishon, Melissa Wishon, Marty (Brenda) Wishon, and JR (Dionna) Wishon; cherished nieces and nephews, Brandon Mielke, Sierra Wishon, Melody Wishon, and Myles Wishon; beloved dog Cocoa and many special indoor and outdoor cats that were considered Nancy Kay’s babies. Also surviving Mark and Nancy Kay are members of the Baumgartner family and the Yant family. Both Mark and Nancy were preceded in death by their parents.

A visitation will be held at Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S Wynn Rd in Oregon, Ohio, on NEXT Friday, January 9, 2026, from 2 until 8 p.m., with the Order of the Eastern Star Service to begin at 7 p.m. and the Masonic Service to follow. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 611 Woodville Rd, Toledo, Ohio. Burial will follow at Lake Township Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will follow the cemetery services at St. Mark Lutheran Church.