Benjamin S. "Benny" Olvera

Benjamin S. "Benny" Olvera, 68, of Moline, died Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:30 a.m., Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, Moline. Visitation is Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. at DeRoo Funeral Home, Moline, where a Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Seton Catholic School First Day Fund, Moline.
Benjamin was born March 29, 1939, in Delicias, Chihuahua, Mexico, the son of Ponciano and Francisca (Sifuntes) Olvera. He married the former JoAnn Gomez on May 14, 1960, in East Moline.
Benny was employed by the Rock Island Railroad for six years. He then worked as a welder at the former I.H. East Moline Plant for 27 years, retiring in 1992.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Moline. Benny was an avid golfer and enjoyed gardening. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He touched many lives and made many friends.
Survivors are his wife JoAnn, daughters and sons in law, Maggie and Mark Weaver, Davenport, Kathy and Rick Lopez, Rock Island, and LeAnn and Tim Carr, Rock Island, sons and daughters in law, Ben and Karen Olvera, Moline, and Tim and Michele Olvera, Machesney Park, Ill., 11 grandchildren, sisters, Isabelle Reyes, Moline, Carmen Johnson, Lakewood, Colo., and Maria Diaz, Yelm, Wash., brothers, Guadalupe Olvera, East Moline, and Raymond Olvera, Garland, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, Andrew, a sister, Clara Gonzalez and a brother, Dale Olvera.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.deroofuneralhome.com.