Donald L. Koker, 75, of Silvis, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011, at his home.
A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Schroder Mortuary in Silvis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Pathway Hospice.
Donald was born Oct. 10, 1935, in Moline, the son of Charles and Goldie Redden Koker. He married Phyllis Truitt on May 3, 1958, in East Moline.
Donald worked as a switchman at Rock Island Line for 20 years, working on the last day of the railroad. He retired after 25 years from Sentry Pool in Moline, doing pool maintenance.
Donald loved fishing, believing "God does not count time spent fishing against a man's allotted life span." He also enjoyed traveling by train, fixing anything electrical, and watching football and basketball. He was also a lifelong Chicago Bears fan.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, of Silvis; children, Mark and Vickie Koker, Moline, Lynn McBurney and Andy Strautnieks, Kentwood Mich.; grandchildren, Chad Koker, Moline, Chelsea and Travis McBurney, Kentwood, and Derik Dupont, Washington D.C.; twin brother, Charles, East Moline; and a sister, Kay Wriedt, Raleigh, N.C. Donald was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Deena Kay; and a brother, Richard.
Services will be private.