Daniel J. Dies, 59, East Moline, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, at Trinity Rock Island, after a brief illness. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Monday at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline. Entombment is in St. Mary's Mausoleum, East Moline. Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 5 p.m. Memorials may be made to an education fund for his grandchildren. Dan was born Oct. 15, 1953, in Moline, the son of Sidney and Elaine DeJaegher Dies. He graduated from United Township High School. Dan retired in 2010 as a power house operator from John Deere Harvester Works, East Moline. He enjoyed playing golf, traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona and his cars. Survivors include his children, David (Jessica) Dies, East Moline, Nicole Dies, Moline, and Matthew Dies, East Moline; grandchildren, Alexis, Joshua, Caleb, Joseph and Annelise; mother, Elaine Smith, Hampton; stepmother, Betty Dies, Moline; brother, David (Kathy) Dies, East Moline; half-brother, Bobby Dies, Moline; stepbrothers, Jeff Dies and Joe Dies, both of Moline; and stepsister, Theresa Gaddy, Houston, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, Sidney; and stepfather, Charles Smith. The family would like to thank the nursing staff and the sitters at Trinity Rock Island ICU. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com.
Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year. 1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc. 1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week. 1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense. 1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy. 1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way. 1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.