Harold Lester Newberg, 96, formerly of Hampton, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at Heartland Health, Moline. Memorial services are 2 PM Saturday, January 24, 2015, at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, with visitation from 1PM until service time. Memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, Moline, or to a charity of your choice. Harold was born June 20, 1918 at the home of his parents, Johan "Ben" and Hilda (Larson) Newberg, in East Moline. He worked as a Chemist for the former International Harvester Works, East Moline retiring after 46 years with the company. Harold witnessed the building of the East Moline plant and its demolition. He married Mercedes Margaret Mellon in April of 1945. She died in October of 2003. He had been a member of Short Hills Country Club, East Moline, the Moline Elks, Moline Viking Club and the Svithiod, Moline. Harold was a past member of the Hampton Village Board and served as a Trustee. He was a former member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Moline. Harold enjoyed playing golf, bowling, fishing and was a St. Louis Cardinal Fan. Harold loved celebrating the holidays with family and friends, with his favorite holiday being New Years Eve. His practical jokes, especially those on April Fool's Day were enjoyed by all. He enjoyed hosting annual weenie roasts and Super Bowl parties. As a young man, Harold would crank up the Model A and head out to Cambridge for a Barn Dance. He even flew from the QC Airport to Chicago in the early 1940's to visit his then girlfriend after her family moved there, back when passenger travel was almost non existent. Survivors include his children, Scott Newberg, Rock Island, Cheryl (Tom) VandeWalle, Florida and Noel (Steve) Schweitzer, Champaign, IL, grandchildren Nicole Leabo, St. Louis, MO,, Emily (Andrew) Greta, and Ellen Schweitzer, Champaign, great grandchildren, Samuel Schweitzer and Lucy Greta, sisters-in-law Constance Walker, Ohio, and Elaine Newberg, Moline, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Harriet, Bernard, Loyal and infant brother Charles. The family would like to thank, Illini Restorative Care, Heartland Health Care and Genesis Hospice for their compassionate care of Harold.

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