Funeral services for Richard Esparza, 84, of Moline, IL, will be 10 am Wednesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Silvis, IL. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Visitation will be 4-7 pm Tuesday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 3 pm. Mr. Esparza passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at home surrounded by his family.

Richard was born on October 29th in Dixon, IL, the son of Benito and Eva (Garcia) Esparza. He married Dolores Terronez on July 27th, 1957 at the original Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Silvis. He retired from John Deere PDC, Milan. Later, he drove the school bus for the Head Start/Project Now program.

Richard was a devoted family man, who loved taking care of, providing for and being surrounded by family and friends.

Richard was very active in the community. He was the lead organizer for the Hampton Township co-ed softball teams for children. He played the soprano horn for AMVETS Golden Eagles Drum and Bugle Corp. He was a radio DJ for KALA Spanish Radio Program.

He was an avid sport fan, playing softball until 80 years old. He was a pitcher and elected into the Quad Cities Senior League Hall of Fame. He was a devout Green Bay Packer Fan, spreading his Packer passion to his entire family. Go Pack Go!

Richard was an original member of Los Mocambos. He was the lead vocal and percussionist for almost 60 years. He loved nothing more than a cold beer on a nice day on his back deck listening to Mexican music.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years, Dolores; children, Fernando "Nando" (Sharon) Esparza, Silvis, Armando "Ponce" (Anita) Esparza, Colona, Roselind "Lynn" (Steve) Perez, Moline, and Rolanda "Londy" (Jay) Hudson, Rock Island; grandchildren Bryana (Craig Loken), Justin (Brittani), Ayla (David), Talyr (Shane), Eryn (Joseph), Christian, Myka (Aaron), Rico, Mariela, Alora (Zach), Jake, Tryton, Jaydon; great grandchildren, Noah, Madyson, Makenna, Lillianna, Lukas, KJ, Uhlani, Yael; siblings, Juanita Martinez, Teresa (Eduardo) Estolano and Jesse Esparza: many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson, Kendrick Esparza.

Memorials may be made to the Richard Esparza Memorial Fund to later be donated to the Glenview Mariachi Band.

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Tuesday, February 15, 2022 3:00 PM

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

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 10:00 AM

Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church 800 17th Street Silvis, Illinois 61282