George F. Rueth

George Frederick Rueth, 91 of Milan, Illinois, and more recently of Lincolnwood, Illinois, passed away Friday, January 23, 2026.

Visitation is 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 30, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Davenport, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 a.m., with The Very Rev. Jason Crossen officiating. Burial will take place at the Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors.  Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in George's memory.

George was born April 16, 1934, in Rock Island, Illinois, the son of George Anton and Genevieve (Siebert) Rueth. He graduated from Rock Island High School, and then proudly served active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in California and Hawaii from 1955 through 1958.

He was united in marriage to Colleen Erps on June 10, 1961, in Davenport, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. They had four children together. Although they later divorced, they remained lifelong friends until Colleen’s passing in July of 2017.

As a veteran, George started his career at the Rock Island Arsenal in 1961, and later joined the U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command, retiring in 1988 as a Logistics Manager for the Large Caliber Weapons Integrated Logistics Supply Division specializing on the M1A1 tank.

He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteered at St. Pius X Church for many years, serving in the food pantry and their Perpetual Adoration Chapel, taking the least favorite midnight - 2:00 A.M. shift.

George was skilled in all things related to construction, having built two of his own homes. He also enjoyed boating, water skiing, bike riding, working on his acreage, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

George was a devoted son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda (Mike) Himley and grandsons Joshua and Jared Himley, son Randy (Jill) Rueth and grandsons Jack and Tyler Rueth, daughter, Brenda Rueth, and son, Robert Rueth; sister, Francine (Rueth) Verdin; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting George’s obituary at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.