Merlin H. Hilby, 78, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away at 7:05 A/M, on Friday, September 12, 2014, at Midwest Medical Center, in Galena, IL.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A/M, on Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at St. Mary's Church, in East Dubuque, with Fr. Dean Smith officiating. Burial will be in the East Dubuque Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by members of American Legion Post #787.

Visitation will be from 3 P/M to 8 P/M, on Monday, September 15th, and from 9 A/M to 10 A/M, on Tuesday, September 16th, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, where the parish rosary will be recited at 2:45 P/M, on Monday. Members of American Legion Post #787 will meet at 6:30 P/M, on Monday, at the funeral home.

Merlin was born on July 23, 1936, in Menominee Township, of Jo Daviess County, IL, the son of Leo and Sophia (Wubben) Hilby. He married Eileen Havertape on June 14, 1961, at St. Joseph's Church, at Sinsinawa, WI.

Merlin was formerly employed at Sadler Power Train in Dubuque, drove for the Sinsinawa Dominicans and was a route driver for the Telegraph-Herald.

Merlin served in the Army from 1956-1957. He loved fishing, watching his grandchildren in sports and other activities and helping family and friends with mechanical needs.

Merlin was a member of St. Mary's Parish where he formerly worked their bingo program, the Holy Name Society, and the East Dubuque Knights of Columbus, Council #7527.

Surviving are his wife, Eileen; three (3) children, Gary (Lori) Hilby, of East Dubuque, IL, Glen Hilby, of Hazel Green, WI, and Lisa (Matt) Schuster, of LaMotte, IA; ten (10) grandchildren, Jason (fiance', Katie Hoppman), Andy and Tyler Hilby, Ashley (friend, Ryann Kueter), Joey (fiance', Becca Schiehlein), Nick and Amanda Hilby, Nathan, Marissa, and Ben Schuster; one (1) great-grandson, Landon; his siblings, Rosetta (Wayne) Arand, of Stillman Valley, IL, Cletus (Lois) Hilby, of Menominee, IL, Rita (Louis) Berning, of Hazel Green, WI, Kenneth (Jan) Hilby, of Menominee, IL, and Lorraine Wills, of Cuba City, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Greg, in 1963; a sister, Viola Scharpf; three (3) brothers-in-law, LaVerne Wills, Bob Scharpf and Donald Havertape; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Marie (Timmerman) Havertape.

Eileen and family wish to give "thanks" to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Dubuque, especially Megan, for the wonderful care provided to Merlin.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.