Former Congressman Lane Evans was remembered Monday, November 10, 2014, as a man who stood up for working people and veterans, a man of peace who was fearless when it came to a fight he believed needed to be fought.
"His missions was to stand up for ordinary people, unions, for veterans," said U.S Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a longtime friend of Evans and one of four speakers at the funeral.
"Lane Evans was fearless," she said.
The service a blend of political tributes, Beatles tunes, hymns, and patriotic anthems, including "Let It Be."
Evans died last week at age 63 at Hope Creek Nursing Home in East Moline due to complications from Parkinsons.
"My wife and I were up there everyday and played piano for him. I'd play the Marine Hymn and he'd try to salute me. Even towards the end, he didn't give up," said Don Lind, a former classmate and friend of Evans.
Staffers from the early days of Evans' political career gathered to pay tribute to their former boss.
"He worked hard for the district, and expected you to work hard, and he wanted to be fair and honest to everyone, Democrat or Republican," said former campaign staffer Craig Wonderlich.
"He had a great heart."