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BORN
1932
DIED
2024
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John Cloninger Obituary
December 18, 1932 - October 30, 2024
John M. Cloninger, 91, of Rock Island, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at UnityPoint Health – Trinity, Rock Island, following a brief illness. Services will be private. The burial will take place at Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be made in care of the Rock Island High School Boosters Club. Arrangements are being handled by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island.
John was born on December 18, 1932 at his grandparents' home in Mason City, Illinois, a son of Lee Roy and Edna Mulford Cloninger. His childhood was spent in several rural communities in central Illinois. He met Virginia Allen at Woodson High School and when that school closed, John went to Roodhouse High School, and Virginia went to Jacksonville High School. They began dating again after graduation and married on August 11, 1951 at Barrow Baptist Church, Barrow, Illinois.
John moved to Rock Island, Illinois at the age of 17 in 1950 to seek employment. He started a long career at the Rock Island Farmall Plant as a mail clerk. After attending college at night, he was promoted to designer in plant engineering and eventually became Plant Engineer until Farmall closed, being the last man out.
John loved baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He also enjoyed coaching youth baseball and being an umpire. He and Virginia followed Rocky sports for many years. They also went to every sporting event of their granddaughters'.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 73 years, Virginia Cloninger; daughter, Mary (Trent) Marquis; granddaughters, Sara (Olin) Morrow, Emily (Edwin) Dewez and Katie (Nick) Terry; great-granddaughters, Chloe and Madeleine Dewez.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Rick Cloninger; and sisters, Sheila Austin, Vivian Cloninger and Elsie and Martha Jo Cloninger.
The family would like to thank the caring staff at Allure of the Quad Cities in Moline.
Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com.
Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory
3030 7th Avenue
Rock Island, Illinois 61201
309-786-5421
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for John Cloninger
Sponsored by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. - Rock Island.
2 Entries
Todd Williams
November 4, 2024
John was my Babe Ruth coach in the late 70´s when I played for Optimist. That man taught me so much about being part of something, let alone the baseball stuff! He was kind and gracious, but left a wonderful impression on me that has lasted forever and lent itself to when I became a coach. So sorry for your loss.
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Roger Adams
November 3, 2024
Mr. Cloninger was a gentleman. He was a tough but fair Manager. I knew him from the Farmall days. He was my father's boss (Jim Adams, millwright supv.). I worked in the Powerhouse. I can still see him and my Dad sitting at their desks in their office. I am glad he lived a full and happy life. May he rest in Peace.
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Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. - Rock Island3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201
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Rock Island, IL
The Rock Island Dispatch Argus
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