John Harnung

John H. Harnung, 77, of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at his home with his loving family by his side.

Graveside services will be private and John will be interred at Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or to Genesis Hospice.

John was born on July 8, 1944, in Peoria, Illinois, the son of John and Beulah (Herman) Harnung. He was a 1962 graduate of Washington Community High School in Washington, Illinois and began working for Caterpillar a year later. John entered the U.S. Navy in 1965.  After finishing electronics training, he was stationed on the submarine squadron in Charleston, South Carolina.  He later transferred to an aircraft carrier in Norfolk, Virginia. John was always proud to be a veteran.

Soon after his honorable discharge, John was united in marriage to Kathleen Blackhurst of Manchester, England, whom he had met during his military service.  They had a civil ceremony in Manchester and a religious church service in Washington, Illinois.  They were married 31 years before Kathy’s passing in 2000.

Following his military service, John returned to work at Caterpillar, employed at several facilities in the Peoria and Davenport regions and a short time in Northern Ireland.  He specialized in Quality Control and was Supervisor of the assembly area, until retiring in 1999 after 36 years of service.

John was united in marriage to Susan (Richardson) Ratcliff on June 1, 2003 in Rock Island, Illinois.

John enjoyed life, family, watching the activities of his children and grandchildren, golf, fishing trips, travel, genealogy, helping others and working on projects.  Quite the handyman - “Jack of all trades, master of none.”

John was a member of the American Legion Post 246 of Moline, Illinois, the Better Breathers Club and was a past member of the North Scott "I" Club and the Freemasons.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Susan; his daughter, Helen (Dan) Holmes; his sons, Michael (Tracy) Harnung and Paul (Leticia) Harnung; his grandchildren, Blake, Emma, Sadie, Spencer, Jack, TJ (Alex), Brady and Nalia; his stepchildren, Steven Ratcliff and Sharon (Cody) Wilson; his nieces, Karen (Joe) Orwig and Kelly Robinson; his nephew, John (Rachael) Phillips; his sisters-in-law, Patty Richardson (Larry McDonald) and Margaret (Graham) Phillips; and his brother-in-law, Scott Richardson.

In addition to his first wife, Kathleen; John was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister and brother-in-law, Claudia and Bob Irvin.

John’s family would like to express special thanks to Genesis Hospice for all of their care and comfort for John and his family.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting John’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.