John Stephen Dudzik

John Stephen Dudzik December 5, 1935 — March 11, 2026

John Stephen Dudzik, 90, of Louisburg, Kansas, formerly of East Moline, Illinois, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026. Prior to moving to Louisburg in 2018, John lived in East Moline and Moline, Illinois, for 82 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will be held in Kansas on March 16 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dengel & Son Mortuary (1 Aquatic Drive, Louisburg, Kansas). Visitation in Illinois will be held on Thursday, March 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd (6601 38th Avenue, Moline, Illinois).

A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Silvis, Illinois, on March 20 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Rock Island National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal.

John was born on December 5, 1935, in Moline, Illinois, to Andrew and Anna (Visvarda) Dudzik. He was the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Moline High School in 1953. After graduation, he worked at Tisher Motors as a mechanic, where his lifelong love of Mopar vehicles began.

He later moved to Chicago to work as a telephone line installer for Western Electric. Seeking greater adventure, John followed his brother’s path and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1954 to 1957. He completed boot camp in San Diego, California, and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, among other locations.

Upon returning to civilian life, John began a 36-year career at John Deere’s Plow Planter Works in Moline, Illinois, where he proudly worked as a second-generation toolmaker until his retirement.

In 1967, John met his future wife, Helen Olender. They were married in September of 1969 at St. James Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. Together they raised two sons and were blessed to see their family grow to include two daughters-in-law, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

John enjoyed working on cars, driving his R/T Charger, fixing anything and everything, cheering on the Chicago Bears and Fighting Illini basketball, and most of all, spending time visiting his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his sons, David (Denna) Dudzik of Louisburg, Kansas, and James (Kris) Dudzik of Dyersville, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen; his brother, Frank Dudzik; his sisters, Ann Jablon, Mary Bishop, and Carolyn Zelnio; and his two infant sisters.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.