Theodore "Ted" Karlix Jr.

Theodore “Ted” Karlix Jr., 97, of Moline, IL, passed away, January 25, 2026, at Celebrate of Moline.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will be at Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Ted was born on October 9, 1928, in Moline, IL, to Theodore G. Karlix Sr. and Frances (DeCausemaker) Karlix. He attended Moline public schools, married, and later had three children, Sandy Padilla (Moline, IL), Ken Karlix (Rocky Mount, MO), and Karen Karlix-Smith (Sarasota, FL), with his first wife Ellen. He later married Clara (Sue) Anderson on March 26, 1988, in Olathe KS.

Ted entered Barber college and went into business with his father in 1948, on 11th St. in Moline, IL. He was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952 in post-war Germany during the Korean conflict. Upon returning home he continued to barber and raise his family. In 1972, he went to work for John Deere Plow and Planter, retiring in 1982. Ted enjoyed woodworking, playing cards with friends, golfing, fishing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and listening to Frank Sinatra music. He was also a very smooth dancer. Most notably, he became an accomplished artist, painting beautiful oils which hang in many friends and acquaintances homes today. He was an avid Chicago White Sox fan cheering them on when they took the World Series, and a devoted Bears fan all his life. Ted was a member of American Legion Post 246, Viking Club of Moline, and the East End Boulder Club in Moline.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Sue; daughters, Sandy and Karen; son, Ken; stepdaughter, Jane Anderson; and cousin, Donna Uden. Between Ted and Sue, they have 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepson Tim Anderson, and stepdaughter Kathy Smith.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.