Paul M. Muskopf, 88, of Rock Island, died Thursday, March 22, 2012 at Trinity Rock Island after a brief illness. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 pm at the funeral home. Inurnment will be private. Memorials may be left in care of the American Heart Association.

Paul was born on October 6, 1923 in St. Louis, MO, the son of Oliver and Caroline Muskopf. He graduated from Cleveland High School in St. Louis in 1941. He married Harriett “Jan” Walters on December 1, 1945 in St. Louis. She died in 1974.

Shortly after graduating high school, Paul enjoyed touring the country as a drummer with the Big Bands. He was a great lover of music and books. A few of his favorite musicians were Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Andre Bocelli, and Pianists, Horwitz and Count Basie. He also enjoyed the comedian, Heney Youngman.

Paul moved to the Quad City area in the early 60’s, where he owned Anchor Fence Company in Moline. He went into semi-retirement in January of 1986. He still enjoyed coming into the office every morning until is illness prevented him from doing so.

Paul is survived by his significant other of 36 years, Jan Byerly, Rock Island; daughter, Melissa Muskopf, Rock Island; grandson, Nicholas Muskopf, Rock Island; daughter, Paula Muskopf-Pepke; Jan’s children, Connie (Tom) Daufeldt, Durant, IA, Dennis Byerly, Chicago, IL, Debra Paper, West Branch, IA, Christie (Craig) Simpson, TX, Jeffrey Byerly, FL, Shelly (Glen) Sorgenfrey, Durant, IA, and Steven Byerly, FL; nephew, James (Diana) Hemminghaus, CA; and brother-in-law, Donald Walters, St. Louis, MO.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother, sister, and Jan’s son, Michael Byerly.