Merle J. Willson

Merle J. Willson, 84, of Rockford, entered the presence of the Lord December 26, 2017.
He married Anna Jane Slaght, his lifelong love in 1953 in Pleasant Valley, IL
He was born January 29,1933, in Freeport, Illinois the son of Joseph W. and Lillian(Althoff) Willson. Merle farmed in Jo Daviess County until 1966. Then he worked at Woodward Governor, Rockford for 34 years, retiring in 2000.
Survivors include his wife Anna, 5 daughters,
Kathy(Thomas)Ricotta, Susan Aamodt, Shari(Jeffrey)Anderson, Laurie(Michael)Wissinger, Anna Maria Moritz, and one son, Jeffrey Merle(Angie)Willson. In addition, Merle is survived by 19 grandchildren: Tom (Libby) Ricotta, Anthony Ricotta, Matt (Jessica) Anderson, Christine (Ben Tatham) Anderson, David (Jennifer) Anderson, Sarah Anderson, Daniel Anderson, Nathan (Shannon) Nickel, Valerie (Sean) Nance, Jared Wissinger, Shawn (Kristen) Wissinger, Steven Wissinger, Jordan (Danielle) Wissinger, Christian Wissinger, Mary (Justin Johnson) Moritz, Kevin Moritz (and special friend Jackie Simmons), Lillian Collins, Sam Willson, and Levi Willson. Further, he has 23 great grandchildren. Merle was predeceased by his parents, brother, Fredrick, infant twin sister Myrtle JoAnne and beloved grandson James Joseph Nickel.
Merle's family thanks all the staff at Highview in the Woodlands for their kind and considerate care for Merle, deeply appreciated.

Celebration of Life will be held Friday December 29, 2017 at 2 pm. a.m. at Riverside Assemby of God Church, 4242 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, il 61101 Visitation at 1 pm at the church just prior to services.Private family burial at later date. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.