John Francis Merritt, 88, of Bettendorf, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

Services to celebrate John’s life will begin on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport. A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, followed immediately by a time of sharing and remembrance at 6:00 PM.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated the following morning, Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church – Lourdes Campus (1506 Brown Street, Bettendorf, IA 52722). For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be available. John will be laid to rest immediately following the Mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Davenport. Family and friends are then invited back to the St. Joan of Arc – Lourdes Campus gathering center for a luncheon.

Born on February 8, 1938, in Pierce City, Missouri, John Francis was the eldest child of Katherine Cecilia (Baker) Merritt. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Pierce City High School in 1956, where he received a scholarship to the Missouri School of Mines in Rolla, where he graduated in 1961.

John began his career with the Illinois Terminal Railroad in St. Louis, Missouri. It was during this time that he fell in love with the St. Louis Cardinals, sparking a lifelong passion for the baseball team.

The true love of his life, however, was Myra Ann Roder. The couple married on May 16, 1964 and she blessed him with four children. Shortly after, the happy newlyweds moved to Iowa, where John accepted a position as a Civil Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Rock Island Arsenal, a career he dedicated himself to for over 30 years.

John’s life was deeply rooted in the things he loved most: his faith, his family, and sports. He and Myra were lifelong members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (now St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church – Our Lady of Lourdes Campus) in Bettendorf. Together, they sang in the church choir, raised and educated their four children in the Catholic faith, and remained ongoing champions of Catholic education. John was also a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus.

An avid sportsman, John loved golfing with his brothers and friends, participating in his local golf league, and cheering on his beloved Cardinals and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was also an exceptionally skilled horseshoe player who loved the friendly competition of the game.

John is survived by his children, Dianne (Dan) Layton, Michael (Lisa) Merritt, Katrina (Jeff) Buchanan, and Jeff (Christa) Merritt; grandchildren, Mitchell Forker, Bridget (Timmie) Kleitsch, Austin Forker, Annie (Ian) Ross, Morgan Forker, Natalie Merritt, Seth Layton, Katherine Buchanan, Noah Forker, Rachel Merritt, Emily Merritt, Brooke Buchanan, Taylor Buchanan, Zach Merritt; great-grandchildren, Palmer, Cass, Leo, Knox, and Micah; siblings, Mary (Lenny) Ruggiero, Jim (Alice) Merritt, Don (Susie) Merritt; sisters in law, Charlene Merritt, Kathy Merritt, and Joan (Larry) Squibb; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Myra; his mother, Katherine; and his brothers, Ed and Bob Merritt.