Jay L Barnard

Jay L. “Jack” Barnard, 96, of Moline, IL passed on to a new life Saturday, May 7th, 2016. Jack passed as he wished; in his home, surrounded by family, resting in his favorite chair and looking out at the Rock River. Visitation will be Thursday, May 12th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Services will be Friday, May 13th at First Congregational Church, 2201 – 7th Avenue, Moline at 11:00 a.m. There will be a 1-hour visitation prior to the start of the services. He will be buried at National Cemetery on Arsenal Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 1112 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52806. Jack was born in Moline on October 9, 1919 to Jay and Edna (Sleight) Barnard. He was a faithful and dutiful son to his parents. Jack met Virginia M. Martin prior to his enlistment in the Army. They enjoyed a relationship that endured the war up until their marriage on July 19, 1947. The happy couple moved to their cabin home on the Rock River and later built a new home at the same location. All the work on the interior was completed by Jack himself. Their love, devotion and romance endured for 67 years. The couple had two sons, Dana and Rob, who enjoyed growing up on the Rock River. Jack retired from John Deere Harvester Works in 1977 where he worked as a general manager for over 38 years. Jack fought in WWII on the Japanese front from 1941 through 1945 as a Master Sergeant in the Army of the United States. He returned home on Armistice Day. He got “busted” a couple of times, lost his ranking and then earned it back again; he was good at getting himself into trouble. His experience in the military had a strong impact on him and defined the man he became. Jack had a tremendous respect for nature and for other people, as well as a strong moral compass and devotion to honor. A lifelong member of the Antique Outboard Association, Jack loved restoring and collecting antique boat motors, he worked on them for his entire life. A lifelong member of the NRA, Jack was a master marksman. He competed in numerous competitions and spent many weekends at the gun range. He earned the title of Wisconsin State Pistol Champion and was a member of the Milan Rifle Club. Avid fisherman, canoe builder, Jack loved live on the water. If it wasn't at the Rock River, it was at their lakeside vacation home in Minnesota. He enjoyed spending time with his family and enjoyed watching his three grandchildren grow up. He loved reading; Clancy, history, technical works; he loved sinking into a book. During their 67 years of marriage, Virginia and Jack spent a great deal of time canoeing and traveling from Panama, Alaska, Florida, to Arizona, they loved seeing the world. Their favorite places were always the cabin in Minnesota and their home on the Rock River. He truly loved having the grandchildren at the cabin during the summer. Jack taught his grandsons how to shoot, catch fish, and with the help of his wife, he showed them how to be good men. They both cherished their granddaughter and the time they spent together helped her in becoming the young lady she is today. Jack is survived by his two sons: Dana (Jan-deceased) Barnard of Rock Island and Robert (Kim) Barnard of Orion, IL; three greatly loved grandchildren: Austin (Tiffany) Barnard, Grant Barnard, and Kinsley Barnard; over thirty nieces and nephews; and many friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Virginia, and his sister, Barbara Barnard Paul.

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