Johnny "John" Pancrazio

Johnny “John” J. Pancrazio, 85, of East Moline, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus.

Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Moline.  Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Monday at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline.  Private inurnment will be at the Rock Island National Cemetery at a later date. Military honors will be conducted by Moline American Legion Post #246. Memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity.

John was born on August 9, 1937, in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Joe and Bertha Kopatich Pancrazio. He was a graduate of Western Illinois University. John was a U.S. Veteran, having served in the Air Force from August 1955 to August 1959 following that he served for 34 years in the United States Army Reserves teaching Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare.  He married Ruby Brandt on January 31, 1959, at the Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.

John retired from John Deere Harvester in 1994 after 30 years, where he worked as a machine operator. He was life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Amvets as well as the Moline American Legion Post #246 where he served on the funeral honor gaurd. He was active with Habitat for Humanity, and he also served as a tutor at Black Hawk Literacy Program for 10 years.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby; children, Angelina (Daniel) Moreno, East Moline, David Pancrazio, East Moline; grandchildren, Alicia (Jared) Gattis, Seth Moreno (Erica Gazija), Natalie (Shawn) Engholm; great grandchildren, Brycen Pancrazio, Cayden Engholm and Silas Moreno.

He was preceded in death by his son, James; parents; and brother, James.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.