Virginia Merchant, 96, of Bettendorf, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024, at her home.

Funeral services are 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2024, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Davenport. Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island. Burial will be in Oak Knoll Cemetery, Sterling, Illinois.

Virginia was born January 22, 1928, in Carroll County, Illinois, to Henry and Anna (Miller) Appel. She married Robert Lubben in 1949 and he preceded her in death. Virginia then married Paul Merchant in 1992 and he also preceded her in death. Virginia worked for the state of Illinois in the Department of Labor for 21 years before retiring. She was a longtime member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Davenport where she was active in bible study classes. Virginia enjoyed quilting, sewing, and making cards. She liked to play pickleball in her earlier years and also enjoyed traveling. Virginia remained very active well into her eighties.

Surviving are her daughters, Peggy Wenstrom, Jill Clark, and Caran Henry; step-children, Douglas Merchant, Susan Bracken, David Merchant, Donald (Mary Woods) Merchant, Betsy (Ron) Myatt, and Patty (Jim) Elliott; grandchildren, Brian (Elana) Engelkes, Carisa Wenstrom, Timothy (Kathleen) Hanna, Jenni (Jeremy) Jones, and Cat Henry; step-grandchildren, Aaron Merchant, Cliff (Susan Weston) Merchant, Jackie (Omid) Abdar, Alex Merchant, Ryan Nance, Jessica (Daniel) Payette, Heather (Chris) Friedler, Amy (Seth) Dummer, Sarah (Joe) Gray, Rebecca (Travis) Brandon, Victoria Elliott, and Andy Elliott; great-grandchildren, Grant Engelkes, Lucy Franks, Ellie Hanna, Lily Hanna, and James Hanna; and step-great-grandchildren, Gavin Nance, Ethan Friedler, Lily Dummer, Emery Patton, and Cole Brandon.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; siblings, Kenneth Appel, and Marie Rohde; and step-daughters-in-law, Cheryl Merchant and Sara Merchant.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Davenport

Online condolences may be shared with Virginia's family on her tribute wall at www.wheelanpressly.com.