Edward G. Jenkins

EdEdward G. Jenkins, 74, Viola, Ill., died at home in the loving care of his family on Thursday, August 24, 2006, following a battle with Melanoma. Services will be at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 28, at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, Ill., with the Rev. Dr. Wilfred L. Karsten of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Moline, Ill., officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 27, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Viola Cemetery. Ed was born on Sept. 4, 1931, in Rock Island, Ill., the son of Cecil and Margaret (Lefevre) Jenkins. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Rock Island. On April 1, 1950, he married Joan Heeren of Viola. He worked for area farmers for many years. He was also employed part-time at Midwest Fibre Products, Viola. He belonged to the Teamsters union, retiring as a warehouseman from Eagle Foods in Milan, Ill., in 1990 after 29 years of service. As a member of the Blackhawk Budgie Fanciers for ¬¬¬¬¬10 years, Ed bred and raised parakeets, cockatiels, and finches, and he and Joan traveled to shows around the upper Midwest. He was active in the Viola community and served on the village’s zoning committee. He enjoyed woodworking and gardening. Ed is survived by his wife, Joan; his five children and spouses, Brenda Williams, Davenport, Iowa; Robert (Geneva) Jenkins, Aledo, Ill.; Lois Loving and Frank Judd, Oquawka, Ill.; Duane (Michele) Jenkins, Viola; and Russell (Cheryl) Jenkins, Viola; 11 grandchildren and spouses, Dawn (Bob) Walsh; Sarah (Dave) Foor; Chris (Penny) Yordt; Jeff Jenkins; Tony (Kelly) Loving; Lori (Lowell) Burgdorf; Lisa Loving and Kris Adams; Bradley Judd; Jason (Nicole) Jenkins; Shane Jenkins and fiancée Jen Kutilek; and Courtnie Rigg. Three sisters, Deanna (Jim) Moore, Knoxville, Ill.; Arlene (Bud) Walthall, Seaton, Ill.; and Carol (Ron) George, The Villages, Fla.; two brothers, Robert (Maribel) Jenkins, Lakeland, Fla.; and Douglas (Lois) Jenkins, Fenton, Mo.; sister’s-in-law Mary (Mrs. Richard) Jenkins, Belleville, Ill., and Dorothy (Mrs. Raymond) Jenkins, Bettendorf, Iowa; step-brother Bill Jenkins; step-sister Wilma Scalf; and numerous great-grandchildren, extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Richard and Raymond; and an infant sister, Cecelia. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family, Mercer County Hospice, American Cancer Society (for Melanoma Research), or the Viola Fire Department.