Hershel W. Morlan

Hershel W. Morlan, 93, of Rockford passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at home surrounded by his family.  He was born July 12, 1923 in Fairfield, IL, son of Ruby Shoaf and Nettie Morlan. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Italy, Germany and Africa.  After returning from the war, he married the love of his life, Matilda Gutenkauf.  He purchased and operated a Texaco and a DX gas station.  He later became a carpenter with John Fridh and Sons assisting with the building of Colonial Village, the Clock Tower and the Sweden House.  He later went to work for Blount Bros. Construction Co. as Superintendent at the Byron Nuclear Plant.  He was a life member of Carpenters Local 792, Moose Club, American Legion and Holy Family Church.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be missed by many friends and family.

Survivors include children, Janice Gamlin (Gary Wilson), David (Lynn) Morlan and Robert (Sue) Morlan; grandchildren, Jeff (Mercy) Pattawi-Gamlin, Dena Thomas, Michael Morlan (Lauren Gutierrez), Jarrett (Bethany) Morlan, Kelly (Alfredo) Perez, Brock (Brittany) Morlan, Katie, Eileen and Matthew Morlan; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Hannah, Chloe, Parker, Lucy, Lola, Jaxson and Everett; siblings, Ray, Larry, James, Sonny and Helen; and special friend, Elsie Burpo. Predeceased by wife, Tillie and sister, Dorothy.

The family wishes to thank OSF Hospice for their kind and loving care.

Visitation will be at 9:30am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am on Saturday, September 17, 2016 in Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, Rockford. Entombment in Sunset Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his name to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, c/o Ridgecrest Village, 4130 Northwest Blvd., Davenport, IA 52806 or honorflightqc.org. Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory is honored to assist the family. To share a memory or express condolences, visit honquestfh.com.

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