Dallas L. DeShane

Dallas L. DeShane, 70, of Orion, passed away at home on May 9, 2017 after a valiant battle with cancer.

A funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Kirk, Huggins and Esterdahl Funeral Home, 1301 4 Street, Orion, with a visitation from 12:00 – 2:00.  Burial will be at Glennwood Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Dallas L. DeShane Scholarship fund, which will benefit a student pursuing agriculture, horticulture and floriculture.  A celebration of life will be held after services where we welcome you to share your memories of Dallas.

Dallas was born on August 22, 1946 in Moline the son of Harry and Eunice Stone DeShane.  He attended Orion public schools and graduated from Orion High School in 1964.  He attended classes at Black Hawk College and various educational institutions.

Dallas retired in January of 2002 from John Deere Harvester after 36 years with the company as an Advanced Senior Engineering Analyst.  He married Roxie A. Plemmons on September 23, 1995 at the Rock River Croation Club in Moline, becoming true partners in life.  Dallas had three children:  Jerri Robison of Muscatine, Iowa; Michael (Jill) DeShane of Urbandale, Iowa; and Stacee DeShane of Orion, Illinois.  Left with his memory were seven grandchildren:  Alexis, Austin and Samantha Ceja all of Orion; Ali (Jay) Shellabarger and Charlotte Robison of Muscatine, Iowa; and Justin Gruver and Spencer DeShane of Urbandale, Iowa and the first great granddaughter, Violet Shellabarger expected in September.  He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, compassionately offering help to anyone in need.  His philosophy was that Christmas was every day.  He made a lasting impression on so many by creating a lifetime of memories.

Besides his wife of 22 years, Dallas is survived by four brothers and one sister.  He was especially close to his brothers Milton (Brenda) DeShane of Moline, Illinois and Leon “Buzzy” (Linda) DeShane of Unionville, Missouri.  Dallas was preceded in death by his mother, Eunice and his father, Harry.

Dallas enjoyed a variety of activities in the community, including:  coaching baseball, Boy Scout troop master, Western Township trustee, growing food for the local food pantry and presenting programs on conservation, butterfly gardening and saving our pollinators.  He loved giving gardening classes for kids, and was a long time member of University of Illinois extension as a Master Gardener, serving as president and chairman for all of the committees.  He received local Outstanding Master Gardener of the Year and Outstanding and Sustained Master Gardener state award winner, and proceeded to co-found the QCA Gourd Patch and he co-founded A “Gourd”eous Day in the Country.  Dallas was a judge for the FFA Sectional fair in Cambridge, he also judged in local county fairs and was a superintendent of the Rock Island County Horticulture, Floriculture and Agriculture.  Lastly, Dallas was a stand-up comedian having preformed for numerous John Deere functions as well as many local and state venues.

Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com.