James C. Ribbeck

James Ribbeck, 90, of Rock Island, passed away on Wednesday July 28, 2021, at Silver Cross Health and Rehab Center at Friendship Manor.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 2nd at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 3rd at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline with Pastor Peter Bredlau officiating.  Burial will follow at Chippiannock Cemetery in Rock Island.

Jim was born in Sumner, Iowa, to Erwin and Laura (Niemann) Ribbeck on October 15, 1930.  He married Joan Reuter on August 30, 1953 in Sumner. He received a BA from the University of Northern Iowa, and an MA and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.  He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. In 1964 he was the recipient of the Gabel Memorial Award for outstanding research completed in the Aurora, IL school district. After working in public school in Aurora, he joined the faculty at Augustana College as Dean of Students. Later in his career he became the Personnel Director/Director of Business Affairs at Augustana. He retired in 1996 after 32 years of service.  He served in various leadership positions including the Easter Seals Foundation (Children’s Therapy Center), the Northern Illinois Synod of the ELCA, and Trinity Lutheran Church. He had a strong faith in God and was devoted to his church family. Global Mission was a particular passion for him.  He enjoyed fishing, photography, singing, travel and attending Augustana football and basketball games.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law, his infant twin sister and his son, Doug.

Jim is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joan, his son Tom (Cindy), his daughter Karen (Paul Neder), his son Doug’s family Carole, Josh and Zachary Howe and their families, and grandchildren Mila (Brittney), Mark and Cole.

Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline, The American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA) or Friendship Manor in Rock Island.

Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com

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