Melinda "Linda" T. Avila, 90, of Rock Island, passed away Thursday June 11, 2015 at Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Interment will be at National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. A Christian wake service will be 4:00 p.m. Monday, with visitation following until 7:00 p.m. at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030 - 7th Ave., Rock Island. Memorials may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church. Linda was born July 29, 1924 in Rock Island, a daughter of Leo and Minnie (Dixon) DeSmet. She married Francisco Avila on December 29, 1945 in Rock Island. He preceded her in death on March 7, 1993. In addition to being a homemaker, she had worked at Servus Rubber, John Deere Plow and Planter Dining Service, and lastly with the Rock Island Argus/Moline Dispatch Newspaper. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society of the church. In earlier years, she was a member of the Ladies of the Moose, Chapter 168, Rock Island, and bowled in the Black Hawk Mixed Bowling League. She enjoyed working with stained glass and leather crafts. Surviving are her children (and spouses), Barbara (Eddie) Congleton, Orlando, KY, Francis (Marianne) Avila, Georgia, and Edward (Jan) Avila, Moline; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Edward DeSmet, Rock Island; and several nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters Alice Carothers, Nancy DeSmet, Helen DeSmet, Margaret Ferguson and Letha Curry; brothers, Henry, Pete, Charlie, Clarence, Joseph and Leo R. DeSmet. The family is extremely grateful for all the great care Melinda received from all the nurses, staff and the new friends she made at Hope Creek.