Eddie R. Earnest

Eddie R. Earnest, 76, of East Moline, Illinois, passed on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City.

Visitation is Noon to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 5, in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, immediately followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Tanner Payton officiating. Burial is in Greenview Memorial Gardens in East Moline. Memorials may be made to King’s Harvest Pet Rescue in Davenport, Iowa.

Eddie Ray Earnest was born on February 24, 1949, in Cordova, Alabama, the son of Millard Oliver and Minnie Louise (Laird) Earnest. He attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where he graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and physical education. Though he had hoped to pursue a career as a football coach, Eddie’s path led him to John Deere Davenport Works, where he worked as a machinist for 32 years. After retiring in 2004, he returned to Davenport Works as a Tour Ambassador. He was a member of the LeClaire Sportsman’s Club and the Rock Island Arsenal Shooting Team.

He married the love of his life, Janice Saller, on June 5, 1971, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Colona, Illinois. In 2025, Eddie and Janice celebrated 54 years of marriage and enjoyed their retirement years spending time with their dogs, dining out with family and friends, and volunteering with King’s Harvest Pet Rescue. Eddie was a loving and devoted husband and a proud “father” to many rescued dogs and four cats. He cared deeply for his small family in the Quad Cities and in Alabama.

Eddie was known for his quick wit, friendly smile, and memorable voice—he never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was joking right up until the end. He was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, enjoying games on television but never making his wife a “sports widow.” Eddie was an excellent Euchre player and enjoyed games, reading on his Kindle, listening to old country music, and taking leisurely drives with Janice in their SUV. He was also a wonderful cook, famous for his cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving.

Eddie will be dearly missed for his caring and generous spirit, “forever and always.”

Left to remember him are his loving wife, Janice Earnest; his nieces, Theresa (Mike) Walter, Darlene (Stan) Armstrong, Gayle Roberts, Sheila Krukowski, Erica (Brian) Williams, and Jennifer (Donovan) Houser; his great-nephews, Jason (Breanna) Walter, Bryan (Kara) Leffler, Brandon (Mindy) Leffler, Bradley (Sharon) Leffler, and Logan; great-nieces, Reese Williams, Jordan (Britain) Corona, Emily Houser, Amanda (Jason) Peterson, Ashley (Shawn) Thurman, Samantha, Aimee, and Amanda; and several great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Millard and Louise Earnest; his sisters, Jimmie Carolyn Etheridge and Diane Krukowski-Hanes; nephew, Steve Krukowski; and great-niece, Kellie Leffler.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.