A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Oct. 2, at The Runge Mortuary and Crematory, Davenport. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 at Runge. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, face masks will be required. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (online or by mailing your gift to 322 Eighth Ave., 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001), or to a charity of your choice.
James Joseph Geerts was born Feb. 3, 1932, in Davenport, to Theodore and Marie (Meyer) Geerts. He attended Catholic schools in Davenport. Jim later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Korea with the 1st Marine Division from 1952-54, helping to supply the front lines. He attained the rank of corporal. When he returned home, he worked at the gas station of his future father-in-law when he met the love of his life, Marilyn Rita Haiston. They were united in marriage on Oct. 22, 1955, in Davenport. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary next month.
In the early years, Jim and Marilyn enjoyed bowling and square-dancing. Jim also was involved in real estate ventures, purchasing several rental homes which he maintained. He worked for many years as a truck driver for Roederer Transfer & Storage, Davenport. After “retiring,” Jim was employed by Linwood Mining in Davenport as a part-time driver. He always worked hard to provide for his wife and five children. In 2000, the couple moved to Jacksonville, FL. In 2015, they moved back to the Quad Cities to be closer to family once again. The couple had been residing at Senior Star in Davenport.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn, Davenport; daughters, RosAnne “Rose” (Joe) Stark, Lascassas, TN, and Cynthia “Cindy” (David) Hannum, Pasco, WA; sons, Joseph “Joe” (Barb) Geerts, Davenport, and Gerald “Jerry” Geerts, Granbury, TX; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and sisters- and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Dave Gould, LeClaire, IA, and Karen Staub and Diane Geerts, both of Davenport.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Jeffery; a daughter-in-law, Jeri Geerts; sisters, Mary Geerts and Helen Frommelt; and brothers, Richard, Anthony and Wayne.
