Merle "Butch" Cook, 77, of Rock Island, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island. Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Face masks and social distancing are required. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Memorials may be made in care of the family.

Merle was born on February 1, 1944, in Galesburg, a son of Stanley and Virginia (Wade) Cook. He married Barbara Hitchens on March 5, 2000 in Rock Island. Merle was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also liked tending to his garden and woodworking. Merle was a "social butterfly" and never met a stranger. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Those left to cherish Merle's memory include his wife, Barb; stepsons, Tim (Tracy) McCombs, Milan, and Carson (Tammy) Tuttle, Pickerington, Ohio; step grandchildren, Jacob Tuttle, Makenzie, and Addison McCombs; brother, Robert (Pam) Cook, Kewanee; and his beloved cat, Fluffy.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Alice and Cindy; and brother, George.