Kirk E. Allen

Kirk E. Allen, 70, of Moline, passed away, July 20, 2025, in Moline, IL, after a long and courageous battle with Acute Myeloid Lukemia [AML].

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the funeral home. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery in Port Byron. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Infusion Center, Moline.

Kirk was born April 24, 1955, in Moline to Truman B. (“Pete”) Allen and M. Elaine (Watts) Allen, both deceased. He graduated from Moline Sr. High School in 1973 and University of Illinois in 1977. He married his college sweetheart, Jacqueline S. Holcik, on June 7th, 1980. He was a very loving and devoted husband and father. Kirk was employed at John Deere for over 40 years; 12 years at the former John Deere Plow & Planter Works (Moline) and the remaining 28 years at John Deere Harvester Works (East Moline), mostly in Supply Management. Besides being a buyer of numerous components and commodities over his career, he especially enjoyed working upon a variety of cost reduction and warranty reduction projects.

Kirk had a wide variety of interests and hobbies throughout his lifetime. He was an avid card player; a loyal and devoted fan of the ILLINI; and a rock concert enthusiast. He also enjoyed tinkering occasionally on his son’s antique tractors and participating in his off-road truck and farming adventures. Although his family traveled extensively in Canada, Mexico, and cruises to Alaska and numerous Caribbean Islands, Kirk especially loved traveling with his family to historical cities and national parks in all parts of the country, “Seeing the U.S.A. the old-fashion way” - by car!!

Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline, and his son, Eric; sister Kay (Jim) Schaefer; sister-in-law Joanne (Michael) Anderson; nephews Mark (Amy) Schaefer and John Schaefer; several great nieces and great nephew; and one great-great niece. He was preceded in death by his parents.

In addition, Kirk wanted to give a special “shout out” to the remaining four of the “Franklin Five”; “Nellie”; the “Coolidge Kids”, the “JD Boyz”; former teammates; college roommates; and other special friends (such as the Quad City Coffee & Pancake House in Rock Island) whose friendships over the years were greatly appreciated! Lastly, Kirk would like to especially thank his sister Kay, nephews Mark & John, and his “cross-country cousins’ clan” for their loving support and positivity during his journey.

Finally, the family would like to extend their gratitude to UnityPoint Trinity (Moline) Infusion Center, UnityPoint Health Trinity Cancer Center, University of Iowa Hospital & Cancer Clinics (Iowa City), and to UnityPoint Hospice for their kindness, devotion, and empathy during the duration of his illness.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.