Toledo Speedway

Melvin M. (Mel) Murphy, who won track championships and feature events in the ARCA Figure-8 division at both Flat Rock and Toledo Speedways, died September 18 at the age of 82 after a battle with Parkinson's Disease. Murphy's nephew Pat Herrmann was a winning ARCA Figure-8 driver, Pat's wife Penny Herrmann is an ARCA Official at Flat Rock and Toledo and their son Troy is an active ARCA Figure-8 driver.

Another nephew of Mel Murphy, Ray Herrmann, has built many race and championship winning ARCA Figure-8 engines, including those in cars driven by Gary and Billy Earley. Mel Murphy was best recognized when driving a yellow #6 ARCA Figure-8 car in the 1960s, when he won 10 features overall and was crowned the 1966 ARCA Figure-8 champion at Flat Rock and the 1969 ARCA Figure-8 champion at Toledo. Mel was a career police officer with the Livonia Police Department, joining the force in 1952 and rising to the rank of Lieutenant before retiring in 1985. In addition to racing, Mel enjoyed earning his Pilot's License and flying, riding motorcycles and restoring antique cars.Mel's wife of 53 years, Veronica, preceded him in death. Mel is survived by children Elaine Joyce (Stephen) Bair and Cheryl Lee (Brant) Emard; Grandchildren Mary Brown, Mark Erwin, Terri Ceislik, Katrina Tucker, April Echoubi, Rebekkah Hoffman, Josh Bivins, Tim Bivins and Pam Bivins; 14 great-grandchildren; and siblings Norman Murphy, Harry Murphy, Robert Murphy and Alice Zalock. Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. on September 21 at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch.