Merle R. Moffitt, 88, of Milan, a long-time member of the Masonic organization, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at Trinity Medical Center, West Campus, Rock Island with family members by his side. Funeral services were 10 a.m. Monday at the Reynolds United Methodist Church. Burial was at the Reynolds Cemetery. Visitation was 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 E. 4th Ave., Milan, where a Masonic service was conducted at 5 p.m. by the Viola Lodge 577 A.F. & A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or to the Reynolds United Methodist Church.
Merle was born on April 25, 1921 at his home in Bowling Township, Rock Island County, a son of Ernest and Ida Wiggins Moffitt. He attended country grade school in Bowling Township and graduated from the Reynolds High School in 1939. Merle then attended Augustana College. He married Virginia F. Burrill on Sept. 1, 1948 in Viola. Merle farmed for many years in Bowling Township and later worked for the John Day Co., Milan. He retired in 1986 from the John Deere Parts Distribution Warehouse, Milan. He was a life member of the Reynolds United Methodist Church. Merle was a member of the Masonic Lodges in Preemption, Viola and Milan and was also a member of the Scottish Rite and Coordinate Bodies, Valley of Moline. He received his 33rd Degree, Scottish Rite Masonry's highest honor, in Boston in 1993. Merle was a member of the Kaaba Shrine, Davenport, White Shrine of Jerusalem, Eastern Star Chapter 617, Andalusia, the Horseshoe Bend and Sauk Trail Scottish Rite Clubs and the Moline High-12 Club. He was also an honorary member of the DeMolay.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Virginia; sons, Duane (Brenda) Moffitt, Illinois City, and David Moffitt of Florida; son-in-law, Bob Brooks, Milan; granddaughters, Andrea (Jason) Baraks and Sarah Brooks; grandsons, Justin Moffitt, Patrick (Casey) Brooks and Jeff (Jennifer) Moffitt; several great grandchildren and his brother, Ray Moffitt, Elmhurst. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dolores "Doll" Brooks.
Aledo, Ill. —
