Michael D. Lopez

1936 - 2025

Michael D. Lopez, 88 of Silvis, passed away Friday, September 19, 2025, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

Funeral service will be 3:30 pm on Friday, September 26, 2025 at Van Hoe Funeral Home and Crematory, East Moline, with military honors presented by East Moline American Legion Post #227. Visitation will be from 1:30 pm to service time at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the family.

Michael was born on September 29, 1936, in Moline Illinois, the son of Aniseto and Frances (Moreno) Lopez. He married the love of his life, Kitty Floyd, on May 8, 1976, In Colona Il.

Michael was a man who loved many things and many people. Immediately following high school, Mike enlisted and served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. He was very proud of his service and the country that he loved. His patriotism was passed along to his family and he flew the American flag in his front yard every day. After Michael's military service he came home and became a US Postal Mail Carrier in East Moline. He retired in 1991 after 34 years of dedicated service. Many families knew him as ""Mike the Mailman"". Mike had a strong work ethic and continued that into his next work venture. He became a janitor for the East Moline School District at Hillcrest School. Besides nightly cleaning duties and laborious summer work, at times, now ""Mike the Janitor"" helped Spanish speaking families communicate with teachers in the building, becoming ""Mike the Translator"". Mike always walked any female staff member to their car at night if he felt it was too dark or unsafe. When janitorial work became too heavy, Mike sought employment yet again and took his final job as a Trinity Express shuttle van driver. ""Mike the Bus Driver"" finally retired and settled into being home, but always shared his stories of work; the tasks he enjoyed and the wonderful people he met along the way.

Michael was an avid sports fan and loved watching and talking Cubs baseball and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In his younger days Mike was a powerful softball player. He played first base with the Mexican League of the Quad Cities for many years, he coached his kids during little league play, and always remained a faithful spectator and fan for every game that the kids played. Anyone who knew Mike knew he had a sweet tooth. He loved his chocolate candy and sharing it with all the little kids. He loved playing the lottery, and spending time with family. Although he never hit the big money jackpot, he was a man of great wealth when it came to love, friendship and lasting relationships of family and friends.

Michael is survived by his wife, Kitty Lopez; children Marlene Fry, Ronald Lopez, Alan (Janet) Lopez, Annette (Paul) Schroeder, Loretta Lopez, and Steven (Amy) Lopez. Mike had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including Taelor (Tristan) Lopez
whom he helped to raise as his own son, Emmanine, Evan, Jamie, Mya, Liv, Taj, Veronica, Matthew, and Sydney. Surviving siblings include; Jesse Lopez, Therese Lopez, and in-laws Kathy (Wayne) Mahoney, Elizabeth (Dave) Engel, and Konnie and Gene Fry whom he also considered his own children. Mike also had several nieces and nephews he adored. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Carmen, Richard, Connie, and Pete, and granddaughter Zoe.

The family would like to extend deep and sincere gratitude to Dr Rajendra Dahal, Dr. Brian Anderson and staff, and the angels at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for all the loving care and compassion.

Online condolences may be left to Michael's family at www.vanhoe.com


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