Harry "Duke" M. Pelton

Harry “Duke” M. Pelton, 88, of Riverdale, Iowa, passed Monday, February 16, 2026, at Bickford of Davenport, in Davenport, Iowa.

Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities.

Harry Martin Pelton was born on December 18, 1937, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of Harry and Lois (Kellicut) Pelton. He married Cheryl Jones in 1959 in Davenport.

He had spent much of his younger years on the Mississipi with his parents who would shuttle boats up and down the Mississippi for their owners. He had worked on barges before becoming employed at the Rock Island Arsenal. After his retirement he gained his Pilot's License and worked on both the Celebration Belle and the Channel Cat. He was an active member of the Lake Davenport Sailing Club for many years. The Mississippi was very much a part of who he was and what he enjoyed.

He is survived by his wife of over 66 years, Cheryl Pelton of Riverdale, Iowa; and his daughter, Kim Pelton of Taos, New Mexico. He was preceded in death by his parents and two step-sisters.

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.