Donald W. Mergen

Donald W. Mergen, 88, of Cedarville, IL, passed away at 10:00 p.m., Thursday November 23, 2017 at Stephenson Nursing Center with his daughter at his side.

Born January 20, 1929 in Ridott, IL the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Lena (Leerhoff) Mergen. He attended schools in Leaf River and Ridott. He lived in Ridott until 1972 when he moved to Rockford. He lived in Loves Park until the end of 1990 when he retired. After that he and wife Betty moved to Myrtle Beach, SC where they stayed until 2000.They then moved back to the Freeport area. He married Marion Recoy in 1948. Then married Betty McEntee on December 31, 1974 in Rockford, IL. Don worked 44 years with the Amerock Corp in Freeport as a tool and die maker and machine design engineer. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict with the Signal Corp. Don enjoyed bowling, golf and bicycle rides with his wife Betty.

Survivors include daughters Denise Mergen of Batavia, IL, Laurie Ditsworth of Cedarville, IL, Julie (Mike) Drake of Port Angeles, WA and Jennifer Keep of Freeport; step son Michael (Terry) McEntee of Coral Springs, FL and Thomas McEntee of Port St. Lucie, FL; step daughter Deb (Keith) Hendricks of Machesney Park, IL; 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren; brother Eugene Mergen of Freeport, IL and several nieces and nephews.. Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty, son-in-law Larry Ditsworth, step grandson Corey and sister-in-law Phyllis Mergen.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 6, 2017 in McCorkle Funeral Home-Pecatonica Chapel, 203 W 5th St, Pecatonica, IL with Reverend Ken Lawson, Chaplin of Unity Hospice officiating. Burial will follow in Twelve Mile Grove Cemetery, Pecatonica, IL. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:00 am until time of service Wednesday. Cremation rites will be accorded.