Earl L. "Skip" Strupp, III, 74, of Rock Island, passed away Monday, April 23, 2018 at his home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m Friday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island.  Burial will be in Chippiannock Cemetery, Rock Island.  Memorials may be made to the QC Animal Welfare Center, Milan or the Genesius Guild, Rock Island.

Earl was born on October 15, 1943 in Rock Island, a son of Earl and Julia (Vaughan) Strupp.  Earl was a teacher in the Rock Island School District for over 35 years, retiring in 2002.   Prior to his career in Rock Island, he was a VISTA volunteer and he taught in New York.  He was a longtime member of the Rock Island school board including a term as President from 08-09.  Earl also served on the Board of Directors of Head Start, Black Hawk Special Education District and the Genesius Guild.

Earl was a member and former lector at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rock Island. He also loved coaching and being a part of the Rugby teams at Augustana College, St. Ambrose University and Palmer College of Chiropractic.  He was a Hall of Fame member of the Iowa Rugby Union.  Earl excelled at playing chess and he had played in several professional chess tournaments.  In 1978, he was Co –Coach of the State Champion Rock Island High School Chess Team.  Most of all, Earl absolutely loved acting in the Genesius Guld productions of Shakespeare in the Park.   He was devoted to his pets.

Left to cherish Earl's memory are his siblings,  Steven (Bev) Strupp, East Moline, Kristine (Tony) Anthony, Camden, AR, Hazel Branscom, Muskogee, OK and Betty (Don) Shellabarger, Milan; several nieces, nephews and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents