Roald L. Zvonik

Roald L. Zvonik, 99, of Moline, Illinois, passed away Friday, March 13, 2026, at Friendship Manor, Rock Island. And with having 99 years to talk about Roald, this is a long obituary. Grab your favorite beverage and take a trip down memory lane. Roald helped shape our past, enrich our present, and inspire our future.

Visitation is 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Services are 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 19, in the Horizon Room, with Rev. Tsawe-Munga (Lawrence) Chidongo officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery, with military honors performed by Vietnam Veterans of the Quad Cities. The family will greet friends for Roald’s request of “pizza and beer” immediately following burial at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe. Memorials may be made to USS LST 325 Ship Memorial or Riverside United Methodist Church of Moline.

Roald Leland Zvonik was born May 13, 1926, in Moline, Illinois, the son of John and Myrtle Maggie (Brakensiek) Zvonik. Roald’s life has always been woven tightly with the story of America itself. Born in the midst of one of our nation’s darkest times—the Great Depression—his teenage years were cast in the shadow of uncertainty. At just 17 years old, when most teenagers are dreaming of their future, Roald made the decision to enlist in the U.S. Navy.

He was assigned to the USS LST 722, a humble vessel with a mighty mission. These Landing Ship Tanks were not designed to draw attention, but to deliver—supplies, troops, and resolve—onto the shores of war. Roald served as a 20mm aircraft gunner, standing watch aboard a ship that would take part in the Philippine Island Campaign, including two landings and one invasion. In the heat, chaos, and fear of war, he stood his post with quiet fortitude.

At the age of 19, he walked the streets of Tokyo following Japan’s surrender in 1945. He was there—not as a tourist or student—but as a young man who had helped write the very ending of the world’s most devastating conflict. He was discharged from the Navy in July of 1946, having earned the gratitude of a nation and the admiration of his shipmates.

After his Honorable discharge, he attended and graduated from the Kansas City School of Watchmaking and Jewelry and worked as a watchmaker and jeweler for several years.

Roald then took up a new mission: working for the U.S. Army Weapons Command at the Rock Island Arsenal. For over 37 years, he served the military as a civilian, once again answering the call— not with a rifle, but with a wrench, a plan, and an unbreakable work ethic. His civilian service took him to Germany during the Cold War and then to Vietnam, stationed in Saigon in the heart of the conflict. Roald worked alongside his military counterparts where he taught repair of fire control devices for Cobra helicopters. He finished his Civilian career in 1982 and found new ways to serve.

In 2000, Roald was instrumental in the repair of the USS LST 325; a ship not unlike the one he once served on during WWII. He traveled to Crete, Greece (on his own dime) and spent months on the restoration of the ship as part of the Overseas Support Crew. The LST 325 returned to the U.S. in 2001, and Roald served her proudly and continued to perform maintenance and provide tours from 2001-2025. Today, LST 325 serves as a floating museum, a living memory of what that generation gave us. And for 24 years, Roald gave tours, shared stories, tightened bolts, scraped paint—and kept history alive.

For decades, he has lovingly cared for the Rock Island National Cemetery, volunteering his time and recruiting additional volunteers, and tending to the final resting place of so many who wore the uniform. Quietly, without fanfare, he made sure our heroes rested in dignity.

And finally, the nation did something long overdue. On August 2, 2024, in a special ceremony led by Congressman Eric Sorensen, Roald was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin. And in Dec 2024, Roald also received the Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asian Clasp) but also the Combat Action Ribbon. He wore them, not just as decorations, but as symbols of a life of service, sacrifice, and quiet strength.

Roald was a 75-year member of Riverside United Methodist Church, Moline. He was also a Master Gardner and belonged to the Tri-City Rose and Garden Club, the Military Vehicle Preservation Society, the USS LST 325 Ship Memorial, and Friends of Rock Island National Cemetery. Additionally, he served on the board of directors for Community Health Care; was active with the 4-H In the City and recently received a Certificate of Honor; and Chapter 29 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

On January 23, 1960, Roald married the love of his life, Rosemary June Schebler, in Davenport, Iowa. The couple shared 60 years of happy marriage, raising three daughters and creating many cherished memories together. Along with being called Dad, Grandpa, GreatGrandpa, Uncle; Roald had other nicknames… Mr. Zee, Mayor of 43rd Street, One Lucky Dude, Shipmate, and National Treasure to name a few. His life spanned nearly a century; he’s part of the Greatest Generation.

Roald represents the best of us. A man whose service spanned continents and decades, but who always called the Quad Cities home. He made friends seemingly everywhere he went. He especially relished time spent with his “coffee cronies” at Hy-Vee. Family and friends were the cornerstone of his life. He always looked forward to the next family get-together—but there better have been cake served for birthdays, or he would have let you hear about it.

Roald is survived by his two daughters, Barbara (Robert Rupp) Zvonik-Siefker of Blue Grass, Iowa, and Karen (Brad Petersen) Zvonik-Petersen of Moline; his granddaughter, Abigail (Stephen Medina) Siefker; two great-grandsons, Malikiah and Nash Medina; his “adopted daughter” which he affectionately referred to as “A.D.”, Cindy Preston; his great life-saving friend, Ronald Mlekush; his little dog, “Bleu”, and the Washington Girls.

Special thanks to Friendship Manor 2nd Floor Rehab and dining room staff for your compassion care and support; and to St Croix Hospice for their care and hosting the Veterans Pinning Ceremony.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Rosemary Zvonik; his daughter, Patricia “Trish” Zvonik-Lechmaier; and siblings, Marilyn Holm, Allyn Zvonik, and Dwight Zvonik.

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