PEORIA – Andrea Lea Murphy, 43, of Peoria, IL, passed away on Monday, July 14, 2025, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Andrea was born on December 22, 1981, in Elgin, IL, to William Edward Ward and Sherryl (Clarke) Ward. On November 5, 2022, she married Brian Malone, who survives.
Andrea worked as a CNA for the TDL Group in Fairfield, IL. She loved the outdoors—especially camping and hiking—and enjoyed collecting elephant and star figurines. More than anything, she loved her children. Andrea had a strong, stubborn spirit—just like her father—especially when it came to going to the hospital. If you ever wanted to see her smile, all you had to do was compliment her children. She always did whatever it took to make sure they had what they needed, even if it meant going without herself.
If you knew Andrea, don’t remember her as she was after her parents passed. Remember the woman she was before—full of light when her parents were still here.
She is survived by her husband, Brian Malone of McLeansboro, IL; son, William Michael Murphy of Macomb, IL; daughter, Annabell Lea Malone of McLeansboro; sister, Marsha (Bob) Smith of Montgomery, IL; brother, Kevin Ward of Tennessee; grandfather, Chuck (Carolyn) Ward of Normal, IL; aunt, Sandy (Rick) Summers of South Elgin, IL; sister-in-law, Ada Ward of Crystal Lake, IL; nephew, Aydan Ward of Crystal Lake; niece, Charlee Smith of Montgomery; nephew, Jaxon Ward, and niece, Austyn Ward, both of Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Sherryl Ward; her brother, Brian Ward; and her ex-husband, Sean Murphy.
At Andrea’s request, no formal services will be held at this time. Gholson Funeral Home in McLeansboro, IL, is entrusted with the arrangements.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com.
