Granville “Pete” Frenell, 89, of Barstow, passed away Thursday, January 3, 2019, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, January 7, 2019, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. Military honors will be conducted by the Vietnam Veterans of America-Quad Cities Chapter 299. Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice and Active Day.
Pete was born on May 16, 1929, in Moline, the son of Charles and Julia (Franklin) Frenell. He married Jo Anne Ogle on February 12, 1955, in Moline. He graduated from United Township High School in 1947 and was a Korean War Veteran, serving in the Air Force for 4 years.
He was a member of Moline Church of Christ and retired as a repairman from John Deere Harvester in 1987 after over 30 years. Pete was one of the founders of the Barstow Fire Department and spent many years serving the community. He volunteered much of his time with the Little League in Silvis, where a ballpark was named after him in 2016.
Pete and his wife served as foster parents for 23 children over the years. He spent many hours walking and bicycling in Barstow. He attended Active Day, which he so enjoyed, especially visiting with Dan the bus driver and also participated in the Honor Flight of the Quad Cities in 2013.
Pete loved spending time with his “backyard friends” and his family and also tending to his fish pond and water garden. Survivors include his wife, Jo; children, Denny (Judy) Frenell, Coal Valley, Chuck (Connie) Frenell, Barstow, Mary Anne (Dean) Mason, Davenport, and Jason Frenell, Silvis, daughter-in-law, Gina Frenell, Colona; grandchildren, Steph (Chad) Davis, Angie (Scott) McGuire, Hollie Frenell, Jody (Steve) Belowske, Wes Frenell, Sarah Frenell, Hannah (Jon) Stockton, Devin Frenell, Caitie (Nate) Boyd, and Landon Frenell; great grandchildren, Lilli, Violet, Jewell, Charlie, Alysa, Will, Noah, Ava, Ryan, Cooper, Olivia, and Brixton; 2 very special nephews, Alec and Andrew Fiser, and a dear friend, Dan the driver. He was preceded in death by his son, Bruce, brother, Les, and 2 sisters, Charlotte and Joan.
The family would like to extend a big thank you to the Heartland Hospice Staff, Angie, LaLaura, Chelsey, and Keith; Traci and Nicki from Good Samaritan; Eileen from Genesis Visiting Nurses; and the Veterans Association for all the help provided to us. Memories may be left on the tribute wall.
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