Rollin Melvin Hearn

Rollin Hearn, 86, of Moline passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Illini Hospital, Silvis, Illinois.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., followed by a private family burial.

Rollin Melvin Hearn was the youngest of the five children of Melvin and Gertrude (Pattin/Benson) Hearn, born in Moline on April 6, 1936, in a chicken coop that had been converted into the family home, next to the home of his maternal grandparents in South Moline Township.

As a boy he sang in the church choir and was the first featured soloist in the newly formed Moline Boys Choir. He also sang on the radio a time or two, performed in the school musicals, and even tried out for the Horace Heidt Talent Show, but it did not prove to be his ticket to fame and fortune.

After graduating from Moline High School as a member of the Class of ’55, he served in the U. S. Air Force, and then went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller, first in Kansas City, then for many years at the Chicago Center when it was the busiest in the world, and finally for a few years in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in food and beverage management from the University of Albuquerque. He began a second career, eventually returning to his hometown to open the Lost Knight Lounge in downtown Moline. In addition to having his own place and managing restaurants for others, he also taught briefly at Black Hawk College.

He was first married in the fall of 1955 to Joan Woodring, and later briefly married to Carol (Frye) Ridens, before meeting his third wife, Peggy (DeMont) Adams, and spending the rest of their lives together in Moline.

In addition to Peggy, he is survived by his children Jeffrey Hearn, of Takoma Park, Maryland, and Holly Hearn of Venice, Florida, and stepchildren Tom (Marcia) Adams of Driftwood, Texas, and Lorie (John) Campos of Wheaton, Illinois, and many nieces, nephews, and step grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents and siblings Barbara, Dick, Bob Hearn, and Rosemary Hendricks.

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