D. Richard Jennings

D. Richard Jennings, 85, of Moline, Illinois, died Friday, January 14, 2022, in Silver Cross Nursing Center at Friendship Manor, Rock Island.

A funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3209 60th Street, Moline, with Fr. Donald Levitt celebrating. Visitation is 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Burial will be in Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the church or Friendship Manor.

Donald Richard Jennings was born October 19, 1936, in Rock Island, to Donald Max and Berniece M. (Wetch) Jennings. He graduated from Rock Island High School and Western Illinois University and received his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Illinois. He married Sandra Lee Vehmeier on February 8, 1958, in Rock Island. She died December 19, 2013. He spent 34 years in education as a teacher and principal. He was a teacher and coach in Rock Island Public Schools from 1958 to 1968, then taught at Woodland Community Unit #5, Streator, Illinois, for one year. He joined Moline Public Schools in 1969, where he was principal at Willard and Grant, and retired as principal at Washington School in 1992. After retirement, he supervised student teachers for several universities.`

Dick was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church and Illinois Retired Teachers Association, and a life member of Western Illinois University Alumni Association. He was awarded the Illinois Outstanding History Teacher Award in 1970. He enjoyed yard work, watching sports, and walking on the beach.

Dick is survived by children, Lisa Jennings of Omaha, Nebraska, Kara Jennings of Moline, Christopher “Casey” Jennings of Iowa City, and Tadd Jennings of Clarksville, Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Ryan, Shawn, Andrew, Sarah, Beau, David, and Faith; three great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Remi, and River; sister, Shirley Ester of Bettendorf, brother, Rodney Jennings and sisters-in-law, Carol Jennings and Becky Jennings, all of Davenport. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sandra, and a brother, Jim Jennings.

Dick’s family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.