Everett L. Burkhiser

Moline, Illinois
Everett Leotis Burkhiser of Moline, Illinois, was born near Cincinnati, Iowa, on August 13, 1914, and died at Rosewood Care Center, Moline, on Wednesday, September 21, 2005, at the age of 91. His death comes after a bout of pneumonia.
Services are 10 a.m. Monday in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, with The Reverend Dan Cole officiating. Burial is in Moline Memorial Park. Visitation is 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Everett was born to Lee and Elsa (Cool) Burkhiser. His mother died when Everett was four in 1918 from swine flu. He was raised on a farm in southern Iowa by his grandparents, Edwin and Delia Burkhiser. As a teenager Everett rode a horse to high school every day for four years and enjoyed participating in a variety of sports. He was offered an athletic scholarship at a state school to play football. His family declined the offer for him because he was needed to help on the farm and there was no money for his additional expenses.
Everett moved to the Quad Cities in 1936, and worked for Quality Roofing Co. for many years. He married Helen Stoner on August 7, 1938. They had two daughters, Phyllis, born in 1946, and Cynthia, born in 1950. In 1947, Everett and his family returned to southern Iowa to farm. After seven years he became discouraged with farming and moved back to Moline, this time to stay. He began working for John Deere in 1956 and retired in 1980 from Harvester Works.
For hobbies, Everett enjoyed woodworking, hunting and caring for his large yard. He especially enjoyed having his grandchildren close by and having them over to visit. He became a member of the First Baptist Church in 1954 and served as an usher and trustee for many years. He bowled on the church bowling league.
His wife, Helen, his parents, two half-sisters and one half-brother preceded Everett in death. He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and Dennis Ellett and Cindy and David Mattison, five married grandchildren, and six - to date - great-grandchildren.
Share a story about Everett or light a candle in his memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.