The first of two visitation services were held on Saturday, November 8 for former Congressman Lane Evans at Esterdahl Mortuary in Moline.
Evans served as a Marine and was elected into Congress in 1982, where he served the 17th district for over 20 years.
Evans stepped down from his seat in congress in 2006 after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He died on Wednesday, November 5 from a long battle with the disease.
Those who attended the service remembered how Evans dedicated his life to serving others.
“He was just a very kind, wonderful person. He did a lot for the common person, the working person,” said Pat Held, a friend of Evans.
“He didn’t care who you were, what your views were, if you got a-hold of him and needed assistance he was there,” said Evans’ caretaker, Mike Malmstrom. “He’s going to be sadly missed.”
“It was a sad day when he left Congress, but now it’s just a sad day,” said John Rowan, the National President of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
A second visitation service was on Sunday, November 9 from noon to six at Esterdahl Mortuary. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 10 at Sacred Heart Church in Moline. Services for Evans will continue Monday at the Rock Island Arsenal around noon.