Jess Willard Etheridge

Jess Etheridge Jr., 77, of Moline, IL, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at his home in Moline.

Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 16, 2023, at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, with a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens in East Moline.

Memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans.

Jess Willard Etheridge was born in Cordova, AL, on November 10, 1945, to Willard and Jimmie Nell (Short) Etheridge. On December 24, 1995, in the Salvation Army Church in Moline, he married Lajina Leasman, who preceded him in death on May 4, 2015.

He served in the U.S. Army 35th Calvary 9th Infantry Division from 1968 until 1974. He was a Combination Welder for McLaughlin Body Co. in Moline, retiring in 2007 after 44 years. He was a member of the Salvation Army Church.

Survivors include two daughters: Julie (Larry Thorndyke) Etheridge of Moline, Michelle (Chris Swanson) Etheridge of Silvis; three sons: Jess (Missy Lawson) Etheridge II of Colona, Danny (Kendra Byrd) Etheridge of Rock Island, and Mike (Tami) Wilson of Geneseo; a sister: Linda Dhanenas of Moline; and three brothers: Charlie of Colona, Gary Lee of Moline, and Henry Etheridge of Moline; sixteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.

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