Robert J. Merfeld

ROBERT J. MERFELD,73 BELVIDERE - Robert J. Merfeld, 73, formerly of Belvidere, died Monday Aug. 24, 2009, at Provena St. Anne Center, Rockford. Born Oct. 15, 1935, in Iowa City, Iowa, son of Joseph and Mary (Koob) Merfeld. Graduated from St. Mary High School in Cascade, Iowa. Served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. Married Cheryl M. Hursh on Dec. 28, 1974, in Rockford. Robert lived in Garden Prairie for 30 years and worked as an assembler for Chrysler Corp. in Belvidere until retiring in 1996. Member of St. James Catholic Church in Belvidere since 1969 and a 4th degree Knight with Knights of Columbus Belvidere Council No. 735. Member of Belvidere Moose Lodge No. 295. Robert loved gardening, home improvement projects, camping and being outdoors. For the past four years, he enjoyed full-time RV'ing with his wife Cheryl. Survivors include wife, Cheryl; daughters, Theresa (Bob) Sanford and Madonna (Lee) Cochran, both of Belvidere; sons, Robert E. (Kellie) Merfeld of Rockford, William Merfeld of Placentia, Calif., and Paul (Diana) Merfeld of Garden Prairie; eight grandchildren; sisters, Rose Marie Oswald of Monticello, Iowa, Annabelle (Gerald) Gudenkauf of Manchester, Iowa, and Theresa Drew of Fillmore, Iowa; brothers, Joe (Dode) Merfeld of Cascade, Iowa, Carl Merfeld of Monticello, Iowa, Louis (Gladys) Merfeld of Dubuque, Iowa, and Allan (Beverly) Merfeld of Machesney Park. Predeceased by parents; sons in infancy, Nicholas and Matthew; sister, Mary Margaret Ahlers; brother, Francis. Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Friday Aug. 28, in St. James Catholic Church, Belvidere, with the Rev. Ricardo Hernandez officiating. Interment in Highland Garden of Memories. Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Belvidere Funeral Home, with rosary recited at 8 p.m. Memorials to St. James School Education Fund, Belvidere.