Willis H Oldefest

Willis H. Oldefest, 84, lifelong resident of Moline and Milan, IL, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011, at Trinity Pathway Hospice in Bettendorf, IA. Visitation will be Thursday, March 31st, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, IL. Services will be Friday, April 1st, at 10:30 a.m., at First Lutheran Church, 1230 - 5th Avenue, Moline. Burial will be in National Cemetery on Arsenal Island, Rock Island, IL. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church in Moline. Willis was born on July 13, 1926, in Moline, IL, the son of Henry M. and Mildred (Johnson) Oldefest. He graduated from Moline High School in June of 1944, and later attended Moline Community College (now Black Hawk College) during it's formative years after World War II. Mr. Oldefest was drafted into the military in mid-1944, and ultimately served with the 15th Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division, during the final stages of the "Battle for the Colmar Pocket" in Southern France. He was wounded in action on January 31, 1945, and hospitalized until August 1, 1946. He was employed for 10 years with Deere & Company Export Shipping, and then for 28 years in the International Logistics Directorate of the Armament, Munitions, and Chemical Command, at the Rock Island Arsenal. Mr. Oldefest was a 32-degree Mason, a member of Moline Lodge 1014 AF & AM, and the Moline Consistory and Coordinate Bodies. He was a life-member of the Disabled American Veterans, Moline Elks Club, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was associated with the Moline American Legion, Combat Infantrymens Association, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Schlesuing-Holstein Heritage Society, and the Pinnacle Country Club. He was past-president of the Scott County Sportsmens Association (Bi-State Sportsmen), and the Rock Island Conservation Club. He was past-director of the Moline Conservation Club, and for several years was acting chairman of the Sportsmens Shows held annually at the Wharton Field House in Moline. Mr. Oldefest had a deep fondness for wildlife, and was active in raising and releasing wild game birds for both conservation groups. As an active outdoorsman, he hunted and fished throughout Canada and the Mid-West. His Labrador Retrievers were a particular joy to him. He was a life-long member of the First Lutheran Church in Moline, and served on the Church Council and Property Committee. He married Barbara Cramer of Moline in 1949, and they had one son. He married Constance Griffin in 1963, and after her death, he married Marilyn Barclay Miller, one of his high school classmates. In addition to his wife, Marilyn, survivors include: son Jon (Lynn) Lundahl of Reno, NV; step-children: David (Rita) Griffin, Ron Griffin, Judy (Chuck) Toppert of Hinsdale, IL, Jennifer (Joe) Pacha of Bloomington, IL, Jeff E. Miller of Moline, Jayne (Decker) Ploehn of Bettendorf, IA, Julius E. (Melissa) Miller of Cordova, IL, Jon E. (Tammy) Miller of Washington, IL, Mike Incerto of Buffalo Grove, IL, and David Incerto of Tonopah, NV; 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister: Glenna Oldefest Liedtke.

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