Robert L. Merchie, 89, a resident of Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline, formerly of Rock Island, died Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 at the center.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rock Island.  Burial is at the National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, where military honors will be presented by Moline American Legion Post 246. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, Rock Island, or to the Boy Scouts of America.

Robert Leo Merchie was born Sept. 13, 1927 in Moline, the son of Leo H. and Evelyn C. Claussen Merchie.  He married Marilyn Grossell on Feb. 23, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Rock Island.  She died May 15, 2006.

Bob graduated from St. Ambrose College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in languages.  He retired from Black Hawk College, where he served as head custodian.  Bob previously owned and operated for 20 years the Progressive Building Maintenance Co., Rock Island.  He was an Eagle Scout and in earlier years, was a professional scout working for the Boy Scouts of America.

He was a WW II U.S. Army veteran and served with the occupation forces in Germany.  Bob was a longtime supporter and volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed woodworking and gardening.

Survivors include his children, James F. Merchie (Rose Goodwin), Lowden, Iowa, Thomas W. Merchie, Moline, Robert M. (Connie) Merchie, Rock Island, and Karen A. DeSmet (Ray Ernst), Rock Island; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Suzanne (Ron) Ketner, Geneseo; and sister-in-law, Virginia Dhondt, East Moline.  He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.