Felipe J. Cantú

Felipe De Jesus Cantú Jasso, age 78, of Rock Island, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at The Vistas at Bettendorf, Iowa. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Felipe touched the lives of many with his compassion, wisdom, and unwavering faith.

Born on September 25, 1947, in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Felipe was the son of Jose A. Cantú and Esther Jasso. His family's journey brought them to Laredo, Texas, where he would later meet and marry the love of his life, Maria L. Flores. In 1977, the family migrated to Rock Island, Illinois, where Felipe worked diligently at International Harvester. In the early 1980s, Felipe seized the opportunity to pursue his passion for ministry by attending Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana. He graduated with a pastoral degree in Hispanic Ministries and devoted nearly three decades of his life to serving as the lead pastor at Templo de Alabanza in Moline, Illinois, from 1983 to 2012. Afterward, he continued his commitment to service as a corporate chaplain at Tysons Beef Plant for 10 years, until his retirement. 

Felipe cherished and loved his family. He found joy in home improvement projects, gardening, and helping meet the needs of individuals in his community. His legacy of love and kindness will forever resonate with those who had the privilege of knowing him. 

Felipe is survived by his beloved wife, Maria L. Flores de Cantú; his children, S.Veronica (David) Greer, SanJuana Cantú, Felipe (Kristy) Cantú Jr., and Marisa Cantú; his cherished grandchildren, Rolando (NeTajah), Marcos (Jacqueline), Romar, Nayeli, Nivea, Mina, Joshua, Nicolas, Andres, Eliza, Mireya, and Cristina; his great-grandchildren, Isis, Rolando Jr., Raphael, Angel, and Emiliano; and his siblings, Esther (Refugio) Nache, Carlos Cantú, Ricardo (Diane) Cantú, Sylvia (Rogelio) Almanza, Alejandro Cantú, and Ramon Cantú. He was preceded in death by his parents Jose and Esther, and his brother Miguel. 

A funeral celebration of Felipe’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 10:00 am at Elim Covenant Church, located at 5201 18th Avenue, Moline, Illinois. Visitation for friends and family will be conducted on Monday, May 11, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois. Felipe will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois. Memorials may be made in care of the family. 

Online condolences, memories, and expressions of sympathy may be shared at wheelanpressly.com.