Curtis Allen Vannier

Curtis Allen Vannier, affectionately known to many as “Turtle” or “50,” 28, of Moline, Illinois, passed away on August 30, 2026, in Knoxville, Illinois.

Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Starlite Ballroom, Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Davenport, IA. Memorials may be made to the family.

Curtis was born on July 12, 1998, in Rock Island, Illinois to Allen Lowry and Minta Vannier. He grew up in Rock Island before moving to Pensacola, Florida, in 2013, where he graduated from Pine Forest High School in 2016. Curtis later returned home to the Quad Cities, where he worked at the Elmore Walmart and most recently at John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline.

Curtis was a genuinely kind soul who loved deeply and wore his heart on his sleeve. He was blessed with a large, devoted village of family who helped raise him, a community of life that brought him immense joy throughout his life. A fiercely loyal friend, Curtis would drop everything at a moment’s notice to help anyone in need, whether it was one of his lifelong brothers or someone he had just met.

Outside of work and family, Curtis found his greatest happiness on two wheels. He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast who loved being on the open road whenever possible, especially on rides shared with one of his best friends, Kelsey. At home, he poured that same affection into caring for his beloved cats, whom he cherished as his babies. He also loved tigers and enjoyed building Star Wars Lego sets.

Curtis was preceded in death by his great-grandparents; his beloved cat, Zima; and his dogs, Brewski and Diego.

Surviving are his parents, Allen Lowry (Jessica Lawson) and Minta Vannier; siblings, Sabrina Weathers, Michael Brose Jr, and Sam Chovanec; step-siblings, Madison (Jack) Inman, Joseph Bailey III, Queleb Smith, and Jonathan Smith; grandparents, Forrest Allen Lowry (Roxanne Hicks), Kolleen (John) Gaffney, Tana (Scott) Vyncke, and Harold Vannier; niece, Matelina; many aunts and uncles including, Nuwlankyao Vannier, Aweont Schock, Connie Karzin, Brandy (Jeremy) Thrasher, and Sarah (Jeff) DeVrieze; and many countless cousins.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.