Gene Allan Washburn

Gene Allan Washburn, 64, of Rock Island, died Monday, January 18, 2021 at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island.  A live-streamed funeral will be broadcast at 11 am Saturday, January 23, 2021 by visiting  www.wheelanpressly.com/live-stream.  Public visitation will be from 10-11 am Saturday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island, where capacity limitations will be monitored.  Face masks and social distancing are required.  Burial will be private at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Moline.  A celebration of life party will be planned for a later date.  Memorials may be made in care of Foundation Fighting Blindness. 

Gene was born in Rock Island, Illinois on April 30, 1956, a son of Glen and Alice Hall Washburn.  He married Linda Zahatko on May 20, 1978 with whom he had two children.  She preceded him in death on November 10, 2014.  Gene married Debbie Scranton on July 6, 2019 in Moline, Illinois.

Gene took over Arctic Refrigeration, Rock Island, from his father after graduating high school.  He was owner and operator for 30 plus years, retiring in 2005.

Gene was an avid fan of music and Harley Davidson Motorcycles.  He enjoyed playing the bass guitar and referred to himself as the, “Blind Bass Man.”  He also enjoyed going out to eat and dancing with his wife in the living room.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Debbie Washburn, Moline and her children, Will (Shannon) Scranton and Jean (James) Schmidt; children, Cris Washburn, Rock Island and Jennifer Washburn, Davenport; grandchildren, Lucas and August Washburn and Bryan and Patrick Schmidt; and brother, Dave (Debbie Walker-Harris) Washburn, Moline.

He was preceded in death by his first wife and parents.

Online condolences, memories and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.wheelanpressly.com

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