Loving husband, father, grandfather and beloved jokester, Duward Fredrick Inch quietly passed away on January 29, 2021 at the age of 74. Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 4 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 E. 4th Ave., Milan. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Face masks and social distancing are required. Private inurnment with military honors presented by American Legion Post 246 will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jordan's Joy (Quad Cities), The Baby Fold (Normal, IL), or the Taylor Ridge United Methodist Church.

Born in Rock Island and raised by his grandparents, George and Vera, Duward spent most of his life living and working in the Quad Cities. He graduated Rock Island High School and his early jobs included QCA classics such as Schaffers Shell and Moving Co. and Henry's Hamburgers. He then joined the Navy serving on the USS Bennington. Upon returning, he fell for a farmer's daughter, Linda Liphardt and they married in 1968 and spent an incredible 52 years together.

His long banking career began humbly by repossessing cars until eventually becoming a Vice President at Blackhawk Bank and Trust where he retired in 2007.

Duward never met a stranger and was famous among friends for his unbelievable joke telling talent which thankfully lasted until his passing. His legendary 16th and 40th birthday pranks were feared and celebrated among friends. He was a lover of 60's music and vintage cars, especially classic El Caminos. He enjoyed attending events of his children and grandchildren and his booming voice rattled many in a gymnasium over the years. He kept an arsenal of landscaping equipment which he used on his beloved "40 Acres" on the outskirts of Geneseo and his most recent home in Milan. Upon his retirement he and his love, Linda, enjoyed visiting California and taking cruises to explore places like Alaska and New Zealand.

Those left to cherish his legacy of humor and compassion include his wife, Linda; children and their spouses, Becky (David) Pilger, John Casey (Pamela) Inch and Joshua (Britt Bardo) Inch; grandchildren, Zachary Pilger, Nate Pilger, Riley Inch and Nova Rae Inch.