Edward P. DeSmet, 84, of Rock Island, passed away Tuesday August 29, 2017 at Heartland Health Care Center, Moline.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10am Friday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00pm Thursday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island, with a rosary recited at 4:00pm. Burial will be in National Cemetery, Rock Island, with Military Honors presented by Moline American Legion Post 246. In lieu of flowers memorials may be left to St. Pius Catholic Church Building Fund.

Edward was born on February 19, 1932 in Rock Island, the son of Leo and Minnie DeSmet. After graduating high school, Ed enlisted in the United States Army.  He later graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He married Shirley Rogiers on May 16, 1959. She preceded him in death on January 5, 2014.

Ed and Shirley moved to Mendota, Ill., after their marriage. They lived there for 20 years, then moved back to Rock Island. Ed had been employed with Conco Inc., Mendota as a plant manager and later retired from the Rock Island Arsenal.

Edward was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and a 55 year member of the Mendota Elks. Ed loved family functions and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, picks and bowling.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews; close friends and neighbors, Steve and Janet VanWaardhuizen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Melinda Avila, Letha Curry, Alice Carothers, Margaret Ferguson, Helen DeSmet, Nancy DeSmet; brothers, Clarence, Henry, Pete, Charlie, Joseph and Leo DeSmet.