John Tavernier

John R Tavernier, 68, of rural Frederick, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, passed away at 1:02 pm, Sunday, December 6, 2015, at his home after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on April 15, 1947, in St Paul, MN, to Klyce "Tavy" and Eula Mae (Johnson) Tavernier. John married Vicki Fischer on December 18, 1971.  She died on March 10, 2009. He married Pamella Diane Heinz on June 27, 2011, in Davenport, IA.  She survives.

Also surviving are two children, Jennifer Kristen Banks of Davenport, IA, and Sean Christopher Tavernier and wife Erin of Milan, IL, one step daughter Britt Heinz-Amborn and husband Tyler of Minneapolis, MN; four grandsons Mason and Ryan Banks, Joe and Sam Tavernier; one sister Judy Given and husband Bob of McKinney, TX; his mother-in-law Madelyn “Lynn” Kettering of Rushville, IL and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, a nephew, Michael Given and his father-in-law B. Douglas Kettering.

John's family moved from St Paul, MN, to Pekin, IL, in 1952. He graduated from Pekin High School in 1965. He then attended Western Illinois University graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance and a Masters of Arts in Music Performance in 1972. He was employed as a school band director at VIT in Table Grove, Illinois, from 1969-1973; Pinckneyville, Illinois, 1973-1978; Music Department Chairman in Rock Falls, Illinois, 1978-1980; and 1980-1985 School Fund Raising. In 1985, John joined Thrivent Financial as a financial consultant. He retired in 2011.

John played with the Illinois Saxophone Quintet from 1972-1994 with performances in Canada, France, England, Germany and throughout the Midwest. He had a passion for volunteer work from coaching his children's sport teams to coordinating Thrivent Night At the Ball Park to benefit Special Olympics for 17 years.  He continued to be involved in music in Rushville by performing in the Rushville band summer concerts, performing saxophone solos and duets with Keely Acheson at the First United Methodist Church and assisting with the Rushville/Industry High School Band preparing for performances. John also enjoyed traveling, fishing, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Minnesota Vikings. He loved his family and cherished all the time he was able to spend with his children, grandchildren and Pam.

Funeral services  will be at 1:30 pm, Friday, December 11, 2015 at Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport, IA. Visitation will be from noon until service time Friday, December 11, 2015 at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery in Davenport, IA.  Memorials are suggested to the Rushville/Industry Music Boosters.