Their Story

Merlin Thomas Deffenbaugh was born on December 5, 1920, in Galva, Illinois, to William and Margaret (Hinderliter) Deffenbaugh.1 Deffenbaugh grew up in Galva, graduating from Galva High School in 1940.2 After graduating from high school, he worked as a waiter at a café,3 and on January 10, 1942, Deffenbaugh enlisted in the United States Army.4 There is not a lot of information about Deffenbaugh’s service during World War II. What is known is that soon after he enlisted, he was sent to Barksdale Field, Louisiana.5 The next report on his service placed him “somewhere in India,” in mid-1944.6 He also had three brothers serving in the armed forces during World War II. It was reported in early 1945, that his brother, Herschel, had been killed while serving in Iwo Jima.7
On October 22, 1945, Deffenbaugh was honorably discharged from the Army at the rank of corporal.8 In December of 1945, he enlisted in the reserve corps, and on the 21st, he left for examinations in Chicago.9 He soon began working at International Harvester in East Moline as a parts coding clerk. On July 20, 1963, he married Marlene Dorland at Asbury Methodist Church in Bettendorf, Iowa.10 Three years later, on June 11, 1966, the couple welcomed a son,11 and on April 14, 1968, a daughter.12
In 1982, Deffenbaugh retired from International Harvester after 35 years. He enjoyed collecting antique model cars and was a member of the Moline Consistory, Scottish Rite. He was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Milan, Illinois. On August 25, 2000, Deffenbaugh passed away at the age of 79 at Illini Hospital in Silvis, Illinois. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness. The Milan American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars performed military honors, and he was interred at the Rock Island Arsenal Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and siblings, Imogene, Clifton, and Theron.13
References
1“Merlin T. Deffenbaugh,” The Dispatch, Moline, Illinois.
2“Located in India,” The Galva News, Galva, Illinois, 21 September 1944, p.1,.
3“Merlin Deffenbaugh in the 1940 United States Federal Census,” Ancestry, n.d., 1940 United States Federal Census – Ancestry.com
4“Merlin T Deffenbaugh in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010,” Ancestry, n.d., U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 – Ancestry.com
5“At Louisiana Field,” The Galva News, Galva, Illinois, 22 January 1942, p.12, https://galva.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=%22merlin%20deffenbaugh%22&i=f&d=01011879-12312018&m=between&ord=k1&fn=the_galva_news_usa_illinois_galva_19420122_english_12&df=1&dt=10.
6“Located in India,” The Galva News, Galva, Illinois.
7“World War II: We Will Remember You,” City of Galva, n.d., City of Galva World War II Veterans (galvail.gov), accessed 14 July 2022
8“Merlin T Deffenbaugh in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010,” Ancestry.
9“Joins Reserve,” The Dispatch, Moline, Illinois, 21 December 1945, p.18, 21 Dec 1945, 18 – The Dispatch at Newspapers.com
10“Merlin T. Deffenbaugh,” The Dispatch, Moline, Illinois.
11“Out-of-Town Births,” The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 13 June 1966, p.3, Cedar Rapids Gazette Archives, Jun 13, 1966, p. 5 (newspaperarchive.com)
12“Out-of-Town Births,” The Cedar Rapids Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 15 April 1968, p.3, Cedar Rapids Gazette Archives, Apr 15, 1968, p. 5 (newspaperarchive.com)
13“Merlin T. Deffenbaugh,” The Dispatch.