Murphy twins presumed dead in Alaska plane crash

The family may hold a memorial service in Washington state.

Family search efforts for former Flathead Valley residents Joe and Jim Murphy have ended.

Patricia Sonstelie, the twins' sister, said she wanted to let local friends know the family now presumes the two have died.

"They've found no trace of the plane," she said Thursday.

The Murphy twins were aboard a plane that took off from Sitka, Alaska, on Sept. 20. The DeHavilland Beaver floatplane vanished with the brothers, their two friends and the pilot while en route to a fishing lodge on Baranof Island.

Sonstelie said the Ironworkers Union Local 118 in Sacramento held a memorial service Wednesday for all five victims. Jim Murphy was a former business agent and president of that union.

She said arrangements are pending for a memorial service in Washington state. Sonstelie said she would place an obituary when a time is set.

The family may hold a memorial service for the brothers at the Sonstelie farm in Creston next summer.

"The boys loved the summer and the outdoors," Sonstelie said.

Born Jan. 26, 1940, the brothers were raised in the Flathead Valley. They were part of a family of 10 children including Sonstelie, Monica Wright and Pam Wingate who still live in the valley.

The Murphys graduated from Flathead County High School in 1958. While Jim was active in the Ironworkers, Joe Murphy was a union electrician who was senior vice president of the Washington State Labor Council.

Joe Murphy was politically active, rising to state chairman of the Democratic party in Washington.

Sonstelie recalled her brother Jim's compassion for people who hadn't realized the American dream as he had.

"In the 1990s, he spent Labor Day helping feed poor people at Loaves and Fishes," she said.

At the time of their disappearance, the brothers had recently retired. Both were living in Washington although they returned to Montana to visit family frequently.

Sonstelie said the loss of the twin brothers has devastated their large, extended families. Joe has a wife, four children and several grandchildren while Jim has a wife and daughter.

"The boys were the mainstay of the family," she said.

A massive search effort ensued shortly after their floatplane failed to arrive from the 60- to 80-mile flight to the fishing lodge. Many family members traveled to Southeast Alaska to look for the missing men.

The family continued their efforts to find the plane even after the Coast Guard called off the official search.

"My youngest brother and nephew are still up there," Sonstelie said. "The rest of the family are all back now."

Rescue operations were handicapped because no radio transmissions were received before or after the plane disappeared. As a result, searchers needed to cover hundreds of miles of dense forest, steep mountains and ocean.

The floatplane was part of the fleet of Harris Aircraft of Sitka. According to Sonstelie, the owner Scott Harris has vowed to keep looking for the downed plane over land and water whenever weather permits.

Harris told Sonstelie that the leaves dropping off the trees now may help reveal the missing plane. Even though the men have been missing almost a month, Harris said the plane had survival gear and food intended for the lodge on board.

"He says miracles happen," Sonstelie said. "He's not going to give up."

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com