Merle W. Walton

Merle W. Walton, 86 Loving Husband and Father   Merle W. Walton, 86, Rockford, died at 3:02 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2008 in Rockford Memorial Hospital.  Born August 31, 1922 in Freeport, son of Wilford and Therese Hoff Walton.  Graduated from Rockford Central High School in 1940.  Married Mary C. Schmidt in St. Patrick Church in Rockford on March 2, 1946. Veteran of the U.S. Army.  Retired in 1981 after 42 years of employment as a foreman at Ingersoll Milling Machine Co.  Member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church.  Former member of the Moose Club and previously bowled on a bowling league.  He enjoyed collecting interesting clocks, loved his dogs, but his family and friends were always the most important aspects of his life.  Merles family would like to thank Visiting Nurses Association, Dr. Donald Rabor and Dr. Willard Moore for the wonderful, compassionate care that was given to him.   Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughters, Cathy Smolka, Spring Grove, Nancy Walton, Loves Park and Susan Fairgrieve, Rockford.  Also survived by his brothers, Kenneth (Helen) Walton and Robert (Donna) Walton; sisters, Lavon Erickson and Velma Bessert; sister-in-law, Florence Walton and numerous nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his parents; brother, Wilford Walton and son-in-law, Theodore Smolka.   Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008 in St. Bernadette Catholic Church with Rev. Daniel E. Peters officiating.  Burial in Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of the Mass at the church on Saturday.  Memorials may be made to the family.  Condolences may be shared at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.  Arrangements were done by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave.