Steve Morgan 89, of Rock Island, died peacefully Saturday the 29th of July 2017 at Genesis East, Davenport, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services are 10 an Tuesday at St. George Greek Orthodox 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 pm Monday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7 Ave., Rock Island, with a Trisagion service at 7 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Orthodox Church, Rock Island.

Steve was born to Eleni and Aristotle Mourgogianni September 14, 1927.  The early years of his life were spent growing up in the small village of Moudoudi in his home country of Greece.  During that time some of his childhood years were spent hiding in the woods from the occupying forces of Italy and Nazi Germany.  In 1944 he immigrated to America and met his father for the first time.

He joined the US Army in 1951 and served from 1951-1953.  He was especially proud of his military service as a Korean War veteran.  Steve served some of his time in Alaska and had many stories to tell of the time there.  In 2015 he was able to join fellow veterans for the Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

1955 brought joy to Steve when his wife, Panagiota "Pat", joined him in America after being married in Greece.  Steve and Pat were happily married for thirty six years until Pat lost her year-long battle with cancer.

Steve spent most of his working career at International Harvester at the Rock Island Farmall Plant and retiring after 30 years in 1982.

Steve was an amazing gardener and spent many hours tending to his garden.  Steve could grow anything and we always joked with him that he could grow tomatoes on a brick.  He always grew much more than he could use and had many "customers" for the "fruits" of his labor.

With a strong effort to eat healthy, he also spent time exercising.  He especially enjoyed his friends and the staff at the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center.  Steve enjoyed showing how he could keep up with people younger than himself.  During one of his hospital stays when his fitness friends were visiting they were singing and Steve said: "You should always have a song in your heart".

With a very strong Christian faith, Steve was a longtime member of St George Greek Orthodox Church in Rock Island.  Steve spent many years first as a choir member, then as a chanter rarely missing a church service.  He also volunteered his services for many funerals and weddings.

His friends and family will miss his quick wit and spirited discussions about politics and religion.  Steve never tired of pointing out his Greek heritage and noting every word has a Greek root.  "Give me a word, any word."

He is survived by two daughters, Helen "Elaine" (Jeff) Amidon and Kathy (Kevin) Begyn both of Rock Island; and grandchildren, Brad Begyn of Naperville, Ill., Christina (Jerry) Amidon-Cunningham of Rock Island and Justin Begyn of Eden Prairie, Minn. Steve was preceded in death by his wife, Pat; and brothers, Nick and Kosta.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.