Daniel J. Gordon

Daniel Gordon, 68, of Rock Island, IL, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 30, 2022, at home with his family.

Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. Services will be Monday, November 28, 2022, at 5:00 pm, at Wendt Funeral Home, with visitation from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established.

Daniel J. Gordon Sr. was born in Ypsilanti, MI, on April 25, 1954, to Allen and Isabelle (Smarr) Gordon. He met the love of his life, Joanne Hess, in 1975, and they were married on August 7, 1976.

Dan grew up in Moline. After graduating from Moline Senior High School, he enjoyed a long and fruitful career involving music that spanned from playing taps while serving with the Eighty-Second band. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany. He went on to acquire his Master's in Music and eventually shared this passion with his many students. During the summer, he spent his time finding old instruments and fixing them for students. It was always about the love of music. He worked as a teacher and retired in 1999 due to a chronic and debilitating illness.

Dan raised six children and helped raise thirty grandchildren. He traveled the world, living in N.C., IA, IL, and Wurzburg, Germany, and loved historical and fantasy literature, old war games, hiking, camping, cooking, and the occasional respite to reflect on life. Dan also enjoyed singing, playing music, playing games, and joking around with his children. His generosity and jovial spirit were limited only by how much time one spent with him.

Survivors include his children, Danielle (Roger) Gordon, Thomas (Shawna) Gordon, Michelle (Nathan) Nissen, Teresa Gordon, Patrick Gordon, and Daniel Jr. (Ashly) Gordon; thirty-plus grandchildren; siblings; Allen (Rosemary) Gordon and Melville (Lonni) Gordon; siblings-in-law, Hazel Gordon, and Steve Hess; several nieces and nephews, including Chris Gordon and Bob Bohannon, and many special friends.

He was the Father of Lost Children, Monica Padilla, Jhon Brown, and Nicholas Kroeger.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life Joanne M. Gordon, his sisters, Delpha Gordon and Jenette Hess, his friend Mersedes Sandoval and his parents, Allen and Isabelle Gordon.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on his memory wall at wendtfuneralhome.com.