Robert A. Meirhaeghe

Robert A. Meirhaeghe, 75, of Orion, IL, died Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island, Rock Island, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2017, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1001 9th Street, Orion.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 16, 2017, at Kirk, Huggins & Esterdahl Funeral Home, Ltd., Orion.  Burial will be at National Cemetery Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Arsenal, where military honors will be conducted by the Orion VFW Post 143 and the Orion American Legion Post 255.  Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or to the Henry County Humane Society.

Robert was born on July 30, 1942, at the former Moline Public Hospital, the son of Julian and Alice Deseranno Meirhaeghe.  He married Judith Carlson on September 16, 1967, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, IL.  They renewed their vows on February 20, 2017, on Navarre Beach, FL, and were planning another ceremony with family later this year.

Robert was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Orion and the V.F.W. Post 143, where he served a member of the Honor Guard and as a Trustee.  He was a member of the Orion Sportsmans Club and board member.

Robert served in the United States Army for 2 years as a construction carpenter with the 538th Engineering Battalion in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. He was discharged on May 8, 1966.

Robert worked as a union carpenter in the Quad Cities, retiring as carpenter at JD Harvester Works, East Moline, on January 31, 2005, after 26 years.  In 1976, he built the home he presently lived in with his wife.

Robert enjoyed woodworking, shooting archery, picks, deer hunting, racing pigeons, and other Belgian activities.  He also enjoyed doing chicken runs with Deena and fishing with Lisa.  Robert loved to attend his grandchildren’s activities and was a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, Bulls, and Bears.

In earlier years, he served as a police officer for the village of Orion, through the Henry County Sheriff’s Dept. in Cambridge, IL.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Meirhaeghe; daughters, Deena (Rob) Beck, Ophiem, and Lisa Meirhaeghe, Alpha; grandchildren, Denise (Brian) Simpson, Morrison, Derek Beck, Monmouth, Paige Beck and Spencer Beck, both of Ophiem, and Hope Mital, Alpha; great grandson, Ivan Lee Simpson and great granddaughter, Payton, expected in December; sister, Jeanne Landis, Houston; nephews, Dan, Dave, and Doug; niece, Sloan; and his beloved dog, Echo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Joyce Henderson; and a granddaughter, Erica Mital.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.