Dessie Ellanora Ewing

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, at Hodgson Funeral Home, Rock Island. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dessie was born on September 5, 1926, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Archie A. and Adah E. (Path) Gaskey. Dessie married Virgil Heaton in March, 1946. They settled in Rock Island, Illinois, where three children were born to their marriage. Later, she married Glen Ewing on September 20, 1973, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Glen had one daughter, Rita Bagge.

Dessie was a homemaker until she earned her high school G.E.D. in 1966. Then, she worked outside the home to help pay for family expenses. Eventually, she retired from working at the US Post Office after 25 years of service.

Dessie was a spirited woman. She was small in stature, but big in the passionate way she protected her family. Some people would even say she was feisty. But, she was very hospitable, opening her house to family and friends whenever they needed it. Dessie was affectionately known as a caring person who sought to help others in their times of need. She often helped family, friends, and even strangers, in both great and small ways.

Dessie had a tender side. As a member of the First Methodist Church in Rock Island, she sewed, made crafts, and baked for church bazaars. She served in the church’s Womens Circle, as well as the King’s Daughters, which helped care for elderly people. Also, she was a volunteer leader with the Girl Scouts and the Cub Scouts.

Dessie enjoyed family gatherings very much, especially when she was able to spend time with her grandchildren. Also, she enjoyed decorating cakes, traveling, and making quilts. In fact, she made each of her children and grandchildren their own quilt.

Dessie is survived by her children, Rosalee Clark, Ronald Heaton, and Cheryl White; sister, Helen Jean LaTulippe; nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

Dessie was preceded in death by her parents, several brothers and sisters: Evelyn Ross, Thomas Gaskey, James Gaskey, Calvin Gaskey, Vera Plato, Eli Gaskey, Ida Mooney, Lorraine Vizcarra, and Archie Gaskey; and her second husband, Glen Ewing.

She will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Condolences may be left at www.hodgsonfuneralhome.com.