John E. Swick, 45, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Coal Valley, went to be with the Lord on Nov. 6, 2012, at Lee Memorial Hospital, Fort Myers, Fla., as a result of a motorcycle accident on Sept. 29, 2012. There will be a memorial service held on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at Edgewood Baptist Church, Rock Island. John was born Feb. 12, 1967, in Moline, son of Richard and Karen Swick. He moved to Naples at age 19, where he later married Diane Joesten on Nov. 12, 1991. John worked for Above and Beyond Pool Co. in Naples. He is survived by his three children, Jacob, Sarah and Justin; his father and mother; brother, Wayne (Denise) Swick, Naples; sisters, Sheila (Joel) Grafton, Orion, Marci Gordon, Silvis; and 11 nieces and nephews. John will be remembered as a wonderful father, son, brother, husband and friend by many who will miss him dearly. A trust will be set up in his memory for his three children. Donations may be made to the family on behalf of the trust.
Today is Monday, May 20, the 140th day of 2013. There are 225 days left in the year. 1863 -- 150 years ago: A petition is being circulated asking the city council to order awell bored in Market Square. It would be a great accommodation to the public. 1888 -- 125 years ago: At 1 p.m. on May 18 the Mississippi River flooded its banks atRock Island and destroyed the warehouse of the Rock Island Lumber Co. and damagedRock Island Arsenal power plant. Total loss is estimated at $100,000. 1913 -- 100 years ago: Residents of Sough Rock Island Township are circulating apetition favoring the annexation of that area to the City of Rock Island. 1938 -- 75 years ago: A group of state members of the National Grandmothers Clubmeeting in Rock Island are making plans to petition for the observance of a NationalGrandmothers Day. 1963 -- 50 years ago: Deere and Co. reported today that its U.S. and Canadian sales forthe first half of the 1963 fiscal year set an all time record of $323,716.628. 1988 -- 25 years ago: William G. Lawrence, first administrative director, has retired fromPECO Enterprises, Inc. Prior to his service at PECO, Mr. Lawrence was the civilianpersonnel officer at the Rock Island Arsenal.