Edward L. Wachs

Edward L. Wachs went to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ on Monday, September 5th, 2022.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Friday, September 9, 2022, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Saturday, September 10th, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, East Moline, with the Rev. Kent Umbarger officiating.  Burial following the service at Greenview Memorial Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

Ed was born April 11, 1937, the adopted son of Fredrick William Wachs and Grace Eleanore (Culp) Wachs.  He lived in Port Bryon, Silvis, Rock Island, Moline and East Moline, Illinois.  He graduated from Moline High School in 1955 as a member of the National Honor Society and went on to get his bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in 1959.

In 1960 he married the love of his life, Janet Louise Schoening in Elvira, Iowa.  Ed said their marriage was wonderful and his love for Janet increased throughout their 62-year marriage.

Ed started employment in 1959 at the John Deere Planter Works (eventually became Plow-Planter) and retired from John Deere Harvester Works in 1992.  During his 33 years of employment he had many different assignments in Time Study, Quality Control, Reliability, Shop Supervisor, Industrial Relations, and Computer Systems.  He retired as a Quality Measurement Supervisor.  Almost immediately after retiring, Ed started giving factory tours at Plow-Planter and then at Harvester Works from 1992-2020.

Ed was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in East Moline starting with his baptism in November 1937.  Ed enjoyed teaching and taught Sunday school for over 30 years and Confirmation over 20 years.  His most enjoyable and rewarding work was as an Elder.

Ed served his country in the US Army Reserves from 1960-1967 achieving the rank of Captain.

Those left to participate in the celebration of life are his wife Janet, children Timothy, Sun Prairie, WI, Theresa, Moline, and Patricia (Brian) Buck of Bettendorf, Iowa.  Grandchildren Ashley (Josh) Pillatzke, Jordyn (Hunter) Symmonds, Connor Buck and great granddaughters Rolazee and Harley Pillatzke.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents and his infant son Thomas.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.