Gary C. Linn, 87, of Rock Island, passed away Monday, April 13, 2026 at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island.

Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 3030-7th Avenue, Rock Island. Visitation will be 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Private burial will be at Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Ronald McDonald House, Iowa City, or River Bend Food Bank, Davenport.

Gary was born January 3, 1939 in Moline, the son of Charles and Ollie (Pearson) Linn. He spent his early years on a farm outside of Davenport before moving to Rock Island with his parents. He married Judith Husson on November 24, 1962 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline.

Gary graduated from Davenport High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Augustana College in 1960 where he was also a member of the Beta Omega Sigma fraternity. He began his career at Modern Woodman Insurance. Gary then took an accounting role at Rock Island Arsenal where he spent a fulfilling career for 28 years, retiring in 1990.

Gary was an accomplished fast pitch softball pitcher for nearly 30 years, playing for numerous Quad City teams including Moline Body and William Mosenfelder & Sons. He was selected to be part of the team that played against the nationally known “King and His Court” softball team. Gary also enjoyed playing a wide variety of recreational sports, such as racquetball, bowling and golf. He was also a skilled card player, especially euchre and cribbage.

Not only did he enjoy playing sports, but he was also an avid sports fan. Gary was a long-time season ticket holder for both Augustana College and University of Iowa football and basketball. He regularly attended the John Deere Classic golf tournament. He traveled to many college stadiums to watch his beloved Hawkeyes and made longer treks to see the B1G and the NCAA Final Four Basketball tournaments.

Gary was a kind and generous friend who was always willing to help someone out of a tough spot. He maintained a close circle of friends throughout his adult life, sharing common interests over lunch chats and attending sporting events together.

Gary also enjoyed his opportunities to travel. Favorite trips included visits to see his daughter Leslie’s family when they lived in Brazil and Germany. In more recent years, he was able to attend the college graduation celebration weekends for his 3 grandchildren at their respective universities.

Survivors include his daughters, Shelley (Paul) Chay, Kenosha, WI and Leslie Linn (David Kuhl) Rochester, MI; grandchildren, Alexander Chay (Lausanne, Switzerland), Reid Kuhl (Chicago, IL) and Kendall Kuhl (Rochester, MI). He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Sheryl Beth Linn and brother, Raymond Linn.

The family wishes to express our most sincere gratitude to all of Gary’s caregivers and friends who have helped him in recent years, especially Renae Krachum whose commitment to his care gave his family peace of mind.