In Memory

John "Jack" Laermans

John "Jack" E. Laermans Sr., 74, of Port Byron, formerly of Moline, IL, passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023, at his home.  

His funeral service will be 10:30 am, Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Wendt Funeral Home, Moline, with an entombment to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 28, from 4-7 pm at Wendt Funeral Home, Moline. 

Jack was born on November 20, 1948, in Moline, the son of George "Leon" and Grace (Voeller) Laermans. He was a 1966 graduate of Moline High School and then received his Associate's degree from Black Hawk College. He was also a veteran of the US Air Force. On February 4, 1969, Jack married the love of his life, Carmen Jimenez, who survives. After starting his career with Coopman Construction, he then worked for John Deere for several years. While still employed with John Deere in 1976, he started his own company, J & G Construction, and then moved on to buying, selling and "flipping" homes.

He was a former Christ the King Church member in Moline and is a current member of St. John's Catholic Church in Rapids City, IL. He enjoyed reading, backgammon, and sudoku and was especially fond of animals. Jack was a very social person who loved making deals, telling jokes and was passionate about helping others. To this day, he still owns his first car, a 1967 Pontiac LeMans convertible.

He is survived by his wife, Carmen; his children, Shelley (Ryan) Breitbach, Moline, Andrea Laermans Evans, Silvis, and John E. Laermans Jr. of Moline; grandchildren, Phoenix Laermans, Emma Breitbach, and Leo Breitbach; sister, Beverly Edwards, Silvis and a brother, George (Stephanie) Laermans, Port Byron.



 
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04/27/23 09:08 PM #1    

Alan Case

I knew John since JHS at Coolidge.  Great guy and smart.  He was an independent thinker his entire life.  Picked friends and activities that were meaningful to him.  John was not one to go along with the crowd.  And he was also a car guy like me.  I remember his 67 Pontiac.

He worked at Chuck Titus' Conoco Station on 23rd Ave. for a number of years.  Even into the 1970's.  He helped Chuck service my E-Type Jaguar when I would drive back to Moline from Chicago.  Lots of good stories there!!  Ha ha.     

I last saw him by chance at the Woodfire restaurant in Davenport in 2011.  I was there with my son to see the Bix festival.  He was there with his wife.  He spotted me and recognized me.   We had a nice but brief conversation.  John was always very personable,  A good friend a long time ago, but our lives diverged and we did not have regular contact.  I am so sorry to hear that he has passed.   

John, ol' buddy RIP.   


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