Dennis J. English

Dennis J. English, 85, of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Private services will be held at Rock Island National Cemetery. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice in Dennis’s honor.

Dennis John English was born October 10, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Joseph and Genevieve (Nejedly) English. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School and proudly served in the United States Navy. He married Karen West in Davenport, Iowa, in 1988.

A lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity, Dennis pursued education wherever he could find it. He attended Scott County Community College, Black Hawk College, the University of Iowa, Sonar School, the Cleveland Institute of Electronics, the American Society of Metallurgy, Principles of Heat Treating, and the University of Michigan.

Throughout his career, Dennis contributed his skills to many notable projects, including work with General Dynamics/Astronautics in San Diego and Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. He later served as a pyrometer tender for Case IH Farmall and completed his professional journey with John Deere in Davenport, where he worked as a senior engineer analyst and manufacturing engineer.

Dennis belonged to numerous associations and organizations that reflected his wide-ranging interests. His motorcycle affiliations included the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Eagles Wings Motorcycle Association, and A.B.A.T.E. His passion for aviation led him to the Experimental Aircraft Association (National and Local Chapter 75), A.O.P.A., and the Flying Country Club at the Quad Cities Airport, where he served as secretary and a board member.

His Navy pride continued throughout his life through involvement with the National Rifle Association, Tin Can Sailors, the U.S. Duncan DDR-874 Crew & Reunion, where he served as president, and the U.S. Naval Institute. He was also a member of the American Society for Metals.

Deeply committed to his community, Dennis served on the Coal Valley Zoning and Planning Board and was active as a precinct committeeman, giving his time and energy to support the place he called home.

In his free time, Dennis found joy in the sky as a private pilot, in music as a trombone player, and on the open road with Karen as they traveled countless miles on their Gold Wing motorcycle. He was a devoted Iowa Hawkeye fan, a man who loved his family dearly, and someone who was always eager to help others. Ever engaged with the world, Dennis closely followed current events and enjoyed thoughtful conversations about the issues of the day. He was also an enthusiastic photographer who loved capturing the world around him.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 37 years, Karen English; stepdaughter, Jill (Shawn) Firth; grandchildren, Brandon Miller and Cameron Firth; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gerald and Michael English; half-sister, Diane Karburg; and stepson, Jack Miller.

The family kindly requests that the obituary not be shared on social media platforms such as Facebook.

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.