Archie Lee McKelvie

Archie L. McKelvie, 91, a 70 year resident of Rock Island passed away on Saturday September 16, 2017 from natural causes.

Funeral services will be held at 10am Friday September 22, 2017 at Two Rivers United Methodist Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7pm at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock island, with a Masonic service held at 7pm. Archie will be interred in the Rock Island National Cemetery, with Military Honors by American Legions 569, 200 and VFW 1303.

Archie was born on September 20, 1925 in Alexis, the son of Archie Logan and Fern McKelvie.  He is survived by three sons Ronald and Robert of Phoenix, Arizona and Daniel of Mission Viejo, California; three Grandchildren Kevin and Eric McKelvie of Orange County, California and Jennifer Fielder of New York City, NY along with six Great Grand Children; long time companion, June Britton, Moline and brother in law, Don Deuger, Monmouth, IL.

A World War II and Korean War veteran, Archie served in Europe with the Third Army, 80th Division Company G 317th Infantry.  For his service he was awarded three overseas Service Bars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Battle stars – Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe plus the Purple Heart Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.  His wounds were received at Eolschuiller, France on November 26, 1944.  During the Korean War he served with the 399th Ordnance Battalion a unit comprised of men from the Quad Cities area.

Archie worked for the Army Weapons Command at the Rock Island Arsenal for over 30 years and a member of the Two Rivers Methodist Church for over 7 decades.  He is also a Mason, a Shriner and a member of the VFW, American Legion, the Moose and Elks Clubs. Also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Archie was the descendant of over 16 Revolutionary Patriots both of his Grandfathers served in Illinois Volunteer units during the Civil War.

Archie’s greatest love was music and singing.  He was a member of his churches choir for many decades and active in several Barbershop Quartet groups. He participated in many musical competitions and especially in the CASI Senior Olympics winning many awards and was honored to have been named to their Hall of Fame.

Archie was preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Fern; siblings, Jane Pempek, Clyde Raymond McKelvie and Joan Deuger.

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