Donald Ploog

BETTENDORF – On October 22nd, 2021, US Navy 3rd Class Damage Controlman Veteran, Donald (Don) Lynn Ploog, age 78, of Bettendorf, took his final breath at his daughter’s home in Bettendorf after suffering from long-term health issues. He is leaving family and friends to carry on his numerous memories and stories he shared with them over the years. He will be greatly missed, and forever loved by all who knew him, especially his family. Cremation rites will be accorded, and per Don’s wishes, in lieu of a visitation and memorial service, there will be a private family-only burial at the Rock Island Arsenal on Friday, November 5, 2021, at 1:30 pm. Family members are asked to meet on or before 1:00 pm at Wendt Funeral Home, 1811 15th Street Pl., Moline, IL, for the procession over to Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, and gifts, memorials may be made to his wife, Christine Ploog, to help pay for medical expenses via Wendt Funeral Home, 1811 15th St Pl, Moline, IL 61265.

Donald was born in Davenport, IA on June 25th, 1943. Don graduated West High School in 1963. He married Christine Jo Bickford on June 21st, 1969 in Davenport, IA. Don was a hard-working family man. He was “Mister Fix-It” as he could fix anything from building a house from the ground up to tearing apart and/or rebuilding an automobile engine. He was extremely talented with his hands, and loved to help people with projects. In fact, during the Vietnam War, he had done such an amazingly great job on something that a Colonel wanted done that the Colonel surprised Don and rewarded him by sending him to Puerto Rico to serve out the rest of his time in the Navy. Before that, he served on the USS Essex Naval ship. He enjoyed his time in the Navy and Puerto Rico, and always had many stories to share with whomever would listen. He loved spending time with his family, and going to special school events with his daughters while they grew up. He loved going to the different plays, musicals, choral events that Jennifer participated in, and he loved going to the different band concerts and choral events that Joy played in. He, also, loved keeping up with what his grandkids were doing, and loved hearing about their day, and what events they were participating in. He loved going to birthday parties for his Burlington grandkids, eating lots of cake with them, and loved joking around with Abigail who helped care for Grandpa in the home. He truly loved his family, and it showed. He was very happy when Jenny and her family came back to the QC to visit. He, also, enjoyed RV camping with his wife and their friends, usually at West Lake Park in Davenport after retiring. There were great memories made, and great fun spent around the campfires. Don would playfully and sarcastically say, “Yes, Dear” to Chris when they were having discussions. It became a phrase that would make the rest of his family laugh.

Don worked at Building Products, Long’s Manufacturing, Alcoa, Eagle Signal, A&B TV, Bill Watkin’s Piano & Organ, General Electric, and lastly worked for the Rock Island Arsenal as a Flame Arc Cutter for 25 years. One of his duties at the RIA was to work welding the armored doors on the Humvees that were used in Iraq/Afghanistan after 9-11. He was always doing side jobs to provide for his family. He built a few decks, did cement work, plumbed, and helped people with their electricity, among lots of other jobs/trades. He, also, would help people with vehicle repairs. He helped work on the Arsenal Bridge when the bridge needed to be repaired. He helped the RIA figure out their HVAC system that was not working properly, and got rewarded for his knowledge and expertise of how to fix it.

Don is survived by his wife, Christine Jo Ploog (Bettendorf); his daughter, Jennifer A Bennett (Burlington); his daughter, Joy J Math, and his son-in-law, Andrew E Math (Bettendorf); his sister, Sandra Ballou (Prescott Valley, AZ); his brother, Richard “Dick” Ploog (Davenport); his grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, and Ethan Bennett (Burlington), and Abigail Math (Bettendorf); his sister-in-law, Linda Zach Green (Bloomington, IN); his brother-in-law, Michael Bickford, and sister-in-law, Debbie Bickford (Davenport); his niece, Laura Ballou Boyd (Peoria, AZ); his nephew, Mark Ballou (Prescott Valley, AZ); and his niece, Haely Ploog (Davenport, IA).

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Fernne Wayland and Ernest Ploog (Davenport); his mother-in-law, Rose Margaret Zach (Davenport); his son, Billy Jo Ploog; his daughter, Julie Marie Ploog; his sister-in-law, Lois Ploog (Davenport).

Family and friends are encouraged to express online condolences and share memories on Donalds memory wall at www.mvcremation.com.