James L. Rutherford, 90, of Moline, Illinois, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Overlook Village, Moline.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 31, at Riverside United Methodist Church, Moline, with Pastor Tsawe-Munga (Lawrence) Chidongo officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Vietnam Veterans of the Quad Cities will present military honors. Friends are invited to continue celebrating Jim’s life at a funeral luncheon immediately following the burial at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe (Lower Level), 701 12th Street, Moline. Memorials may be made to Riverside United Methodist Church.

James Lewis Rutherford was born June 8, 1936, in McCrory, Arkansas, the son of George F. and Etta (Mahan) Rutherford. He graduated from Beedeville High School in Arkansas before joining the U.S. Navy in 1955. He proudly served his country for 19 years before retiring from the Navy. Jim went on to graduate from Western Illinois University and worked as a logistician for the Army Security Command at Rock Island Arsenal.

Jim married Helen Mataczynski on November 9, 1957, in Cicero, Illinois. They were blessed with three daughters and shared nearly 39 years of marriage before Helen passed away on July 23, 1996. On October 4, 1997, Jim married J. Delores (Woodall) Hackett in Moline. Delores passed away November 8, 2025.

Jim had a passion for sharing his love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone who would listen. He was a devoted member of Riverside United Methodist Church for many years, serving on several church boards, teaching numerous Bible studies and Grief Share, and remaining active as a youth leader well into his 70s. After moving to Overlook Village, Jim continued his ministry by starting a prayer group, sharing his faith and encouraging others wherever he went.

In his younger years, Jim enjoyed coaching softball. He was also an avid reader and a proud member of the Gramps and Girls Book Club. Jim had an affinity for telling stories, most of which were not exaggerated. Above all, family and friends were the most important things in Jim’s life. He was always ready with a kind word, a good story, or a prayer for anyone who needed one.

Jim is survived by his children, Barbara (Jon) France of Baker City, Oregon, Deborah (Rob) Smiley of Rock Island, Illinois, Donna (Tom) Lawrence of Moline, Diana (Kurt) Olson of Roselle, Illinois, Tamra (Gary) Hewitt of Ames, Iowa, and Terry (Anne) Hackett of Elmhurst, Illinois; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Rutherford of Marked Tree, Arkansas, Marvin Rutherford of Tuckerman, Arkansas, and Rodger Rutherford of Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Helen and Delores; three sisters; two brothers; and his great-granddaughter, Adalynn Grace.

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