Ward E. Czekalski

Ward E. Czekalski, 69, of Rock Island, Illinois, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016, in his home.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at Edgewood Baptist Church, Rock Island, with The Reverend Ed Kuriscak officiating. Burial is in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Memorials may be made to the church for the youth summer camp.

Ward Edward Czekalski was born February 21, 1947, in Blue Island, Illinois, the son of Edward and Marjorie (VanderSchaaf) Czekalski. He graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield Missouri. He married Linda McFate on August 14, 1970, in Rock Island.

He was a music and youth director for various churches after college, playing the accordion and piano. He went on to work for Nichols Home Shield in Davenport, retiring in 2012. After retirement, he worked at Camber Corporation on the Rock Island Arsenal.

Ward was an active member of Edgewood Baptist Church, where he led singing in the adult Sunday school class, and enjoyed outings with his golf buddies. He was an avid reader, collected model trains, had a black belt in Judo, and enjoyed traveling and snorkeling with his wife and good friends, Skip and Carol Bartz. He was known for his Polish sense of humor.

In his younger years he played softball. His children shared his love of softball, and he was a very supportive softball, soccer, basketball, and music dad. He shared special time with his beloved granddaughter, Tessa, playing ball, cars, and watching cartoons in bed together.

Ward is survived by his wife of over 45-years, Linda; children, Wendy Czekalski and Tracy Czekalski, both of Rock Island, Samuel (Stephanie) Czekalski, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, and Christy Czekalski of Davenport; grandchildren, Tessa Czekalski, Cullen Parker, and Kinley Czekalski; a father-in-law, Samuel McFate of Davenport; and a brother-in-law, Tim (Sheree) McFate, of Orchard Beach, Maryland, and their family. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visit Ward's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, and light a free candle in his memory.