John “Juan” A. Soliz of Silvis, Illinois, passed away Sunday, 4 October 2026 at MercyOne Genesis Davenport Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa, at the age of 82.

Graveside services are 2:30 p.m. on Friday, 16 October 2026 at Rock Island National Cemetery, where the Vietnam Veterans of the Quad Cities will present military honors. Those wishing to attend are invited to line up in the parking lot at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, after 2:00 p.m. The celebration of John’s life will continue with a hospitality gathering of Harris Pizza and drinks from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe. Casual attire is suggested, featuring some of John's favorites (Harley-Davidson, John Deere, Bears, Cubs, Ford, tequila, etc.). Memorials may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Davenport.

In addition, a memorial Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 15, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline.

John Anthony Soliz was born 19 July 1944 in Moline to Anthony Gomez Soliz and Iva June (Wheeler) Soliz. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1962-1966 before beginning a forty-four year career with John Deere in 1966, where he proudly worked at the Plow & Planter Division on the Tranemo machine and then in the Seeding and Marketing departments before retiring in 2010.

John’s faith was an important part of his life. He was active at both Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moline and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport, serving at different times as a lector and Eucharistic minister. He volunteered in various capacities, especially in the food pantry, and was a longtime member of The Hero Street Memorial Committee, Mexican American Veterans Association (MAVA), and The American Legion.

Iconically youthful and a true hippie, John deeply appreciated nature and loved basking shirtless in the sun. He lived by the mottos “reduce, reuse, recycle” and “if it ain’t broke don't fix it,” believing that nothing should be thrown away if it still could serve a purpose. He always made sure leftover food found its way to the neighborhood critters and deer and made treasures out of the smallest trinkets. He was an avid pool player, shooting pool on a team at Juniors and in previous years at Central Avenue Tap and Bottoms-Up. He savored tequila like fine wine, and he was tremendously fond of music, open to all kinds of genres and innovations with a soft spot for jazz, the blues, and BB King. His pizza of choice was Lopiez Pizza, and he was a devoted Chicago Bears and Cubs fan.

More than anything, John loved people, even going so far as to become an organ donor. He never met a stranger and had a wonderful sense of humor, often letting others know exactly what he thought with a playful roll of his eyes. With countless stories, shenanigans, and sayings to remember him by, his loved ones fondly envision him straddling his Harley, clad in jeans and a well-worn t-shirt, either throwing up the peace sign or flipping the bird with a smile. His last words were, “I love my family.”

John is survived by his six children, sons Tom (Judy) Thompson of Indiana and Jason Seaman of Georgia and daughters Izabella Soliz of Iowa, Shea Argento of North Carolina, Tamberlie (Dana) Ecklund of Oregon, and Brei Miller of Texas; eleven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings Clinton Irwin of Rock Island and Luz Sevall of Colorado; sister-in-law Liz Soliz; dear friend Betty Kraemer; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his mother Iva June Irwin; father Anthony Soliz; brothers Matthew Irwin and Richard Soliz; and son-in-law Marco Argento.

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