Alva E. Shouse

Alva E. "Pappy" and "Shorty" Shouse, Jr., 85, of Coal Valley, Illinois, died Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island.

Services are 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, with visitation from 1:30 p.m. until time of services. Burial is in Coal Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Leukemia Research Foundation.

Shorty was born July 25, 1932, in Gibbs, Missouri, the son of Alva E. Sr. and Jessie Pearl (Williams) Shouse. He served in the U.S. Army as a cook during the Korean War. He liked to tell the story of when he was a cook for a chain of restaurants around the country that were owned by his Uncle (Uncle Sam). He married Carmella Degen on May 26, 1972, in Rock Island.

He worked for John Deere Foundry in Silvis for 27 years, retiring as a supervisor in 1985. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading. He also loved his dogs over the years, and above all else, family was the most important thing to Shorty.

Shorty is survived by his wife, Carm; four children, Kathy (Richard) Ryckeghem of Moline, Kim Simpson of Moline, Becky Shouse of Portland, Oregon, and Greg (Angie) Shouse of East Moline; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his lifelong friend, Billy McGee of Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Clifford Shouse.

Visit Alva's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share condolences with the family.