Betty Knollman

Betty R. Knollman, 92, of Rock Island, IL, formerly of East Moline, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Clarissa C Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, IA.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 10:30 am, at First Presbyterian Church, 777 25th Avenue, East Moline, IL, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. Burial will be in Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery. Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, IL, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, East Moline, or Quad City Music Guild, PO Box 307, Moline, IL 61266-0307.

Betty Ruth Edwards was born September 7, 1929, on the family farm near McLeansboro, IL, to Frank D. and Vadah (Gibson) Edwards. She attended Parkers Prairie School (a one room schoolhouse) and graduated from McLeansboro High School. She then graduated from Lockyear’s Business College, Evansville, IN. She worked as a secretary for Mead Johnson and International Harvester, both in Evansville. She later worked for many years as a building secretary for East Moline School District 37, mainly at the former John Deere Elementary and Glenview Jr. High School.

Betty married Melvin L. Knollman on December 3, 1955, at First Methodist Church in McLeansboro, who preceded her in death on November 26, 2014. Betty was a 60-plus year member of First Presbyterian Church, East Moline, where she was very active in earlier years. She played in many bridge groups over the years and also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing pinochle and dominoes, dining out, and attending plays and musicals. She was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Bulls. She and Mel spent several winters in Florida, and were long-time members of local chapters of the American Antique Automobile Club and the National Nomad Club.

Survivors include her daughter, Brenda (John) Turnbull, Rock Island, IL; grandson, Jordan Turnbull, Davenport, IA; sister, Joyce (the late Don) Daily, McLeansboro, IL; sister-in-law, Carol (the late Fred) Knollman, Newburgh, IN; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mel and parents.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Clarissa Cook for their outstanding care during the last week, and the staff at Friendship Manor and New Friendships Memory Care, where Betty resided the past 4 years.

Family and friends are invited to express condolences at wendtfuneralhome.com