Carl E. Key, 94, of Mendota Lutheran Home died Nov. 4, 2009, in the home. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in St. John's Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dale Peterson officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota, with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be one hour prior to services in the church on Thursday. Arrangements were provided by Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Mr. Key was born June 11, 1915, in Elkhart to Hester and Lucy (Todd) Key. He married Vileen Sunby on Oct. 24, 1942, in Fort Lewis, Wash. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota Lions Club, Mendota Elks Lodge and VFW Post 4079. He owned and operated Keys Hatchery in Delavan for 30 years before moving to Mendota in 1971, where he worked for Continental Grain before retiring. He is survived by his wife of Mendota; two sons, Roger (Susan) Key of Lake Zurich and Stan (Lisa) Key of Spokane, Wash.; 15 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Lt. Col. Carl Key Jr. and the Rev. Bob Key; five brothers and three sisters. Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church, Mendota Lutheran Home or the American Legion.