ROCK ISLAND - Edward P. DeSmet, 84, of Rock Island, passed away Aug. 29, 2017 at Heartland Health Care Center, Moline.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island with military honors presented by Moline American Legion Post 246.

Edward was born Feb. 19, 1932 in Rock Island to Leo and Minnie DeSmet. He married Shirley Rogiers on May 16, 1959. She preceded him in death on Jan. 5, 2014.

Survivors include several nieces and nephews and his close friends and neighbors, Steve and Janet VanWaardhuizen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters, Melinda Avila, Letha Curry, Alice Carothers, Margaret Ferguson, Helen DeSmet, Nancy DeSmet; and six brothers, Clarence, Henry, Pete, Charlie, Joseph and Leo DeSmet.

After graduating from high school, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army. He later graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. After his marriage, he and Shirley moved to Mendota where they lived for 20 years. Ed was employed by Conco Inc. in Mendota as a plant manager. The couple later moved back to Rock Island and Ed eventually retired from the Rock Island Arsenal. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and a 55-year member of the Mendota Elks Lodge. He loved family functions and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed fishing, golfing, picks and bowling.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Pius Catholic Church Building Fund.

Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com.