George Dennis Gavin, 76, passed away peacefully with his wife Jane and family members at his side at their home in East Moline on Sunday, February 16, 2020, after an extended illness. Visitation will be 10-noon Saturday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline. Private interment will be at Rosedale Cemetery, Cambridge, IL. George was born in Moline Public Hospital, Moline, IL, on November 9, 1943 to George W. and Bertha(Boduch)Gavin. He graduated from UTHS in 1961, where he lettered in golf. Upon graduation, he went to work at International Harvester in East Moline where he retired after 34 years of service. George belonged to the local UAW #1356. George loved to golf and at his best, enjoyed a 2 to 3 handicap. Even in his retired years, he maintained a 6 to 7 handicap. He and his long-time golfing buddy, Gary Atwell, travelled to a different course in the surrounding counties for at least one game a week for over 40 years. He was also a member of Valley View Country Club, in Cambridge. He enjoyed fishing from his boat on the Mississippi river in his early years and later with his wife at the Walsh family farm pond. He also enjoyed taking care of his yard, flower gardens, and watching wildlife that came through their backyard. He was a kind and thoughtful next-door neighbor who could always be counted on to help anyone in need of some snow shoveling, leaf raking, or hillside clearing. George was beloved by the orioles, hummingbirds, blue jays, cardinals and squirrels he nourished with sugar water and bird seed throughout the years and delighted in taming them. He threw out peanuts all winter so they would come up on his back porch. George is survived by his wife, Jane; step daughter, Susan (Steve) Brown, Highland Park, IL, and Kathy (Kent) Holmer, Plainfield, IL; four step-grandchildren, Mercedes (Warren) Wagner-Bohlin, Thor (Jessalyn) Holmer, Tyler Brown, and Ian Brown; sister, Marcia (Ron) Tady; brother, Melvyn (Marlene) Gavin; and brother-in-law, Richard (Karen) Walsh. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Diana Jones. Many thanks go to the caring doctors and nurses at UnityPoint Hospital, Rock Island. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com

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Saturday, February 22, 2020 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Van Hoe Funeral Home and Cremation Services 1500 Sixth Street East Moline, Illinois 61244