John Walter "Walt" Mathes, 84, Silvis, died Sunday, October 13, 2013 at his home. Funeral services are 11 AM Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Colona. Burial is in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Visitation is 4-7PM Thursday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home in East Moline with a Christian Wake Service at 7PM. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick's Church, where he was a member. John was born on June 3, 1929 in Michigan City, IN, the son of John Willard and Dorothy (Bowker) Mathes. He married Mary Louise Pynckel on March 30, 1946 in Davenport, IA. She died on May 21, 2010. John started his work at John Deere Spreader Works, and retired from John Deere Foundry in 1985 after 37 years. He enjoyed camping and belonged to the Moline Family Campers and the Illinois Wanderers. He served in the USMC during the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed playing tennis and wintering in Arizona. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law Christine and Steve Van Lancker, Moline, brothers, Charles Dunham, Saratoga Springs, NY and Ernie Ernest, Auburn, CA, and special friend Joyce Sagon, East Moline.

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