In Memory

James Machu

James A. Machu Jr., 54, of Moline, died Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis.

Visitation will be 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, where a prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. Memorials may be made to the family.

Jim was born Jan. 21, 1951, to James and Veniza Tickoff Machu Sr. He married his best friend, Penny (Smith) Winegar, Aug. 8, 1982, in Moline.

Jim had worked for John Deere Harvester, East Moline, for 30 years, retiring Jan. 31, 2003. He had been a member of UAW Local 865.

He had been secretary/treasurer of the Moline-East Moline Bowling Association since 1994. He was inducted into MEMBA Hall of Fame in 2001 for his bowling skills and his service to the association. He had two 300 games. He also had a hole-in-one. Besides bowling Jim enjoyed working on computers. And since he retired, he developed a love for cooking.

He loved being retired because it meant spending more time with his kids and grandkids. It also meant he could be home all day with his dogs, Bubba and Layla. Most of all, Jim loved being with his wife, traveling, gambling, going out to concerts, or just staying home and sitting on the deck. Jim was an avid Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Iowa Hawkeye fan.

He is survived by his wife, Penny Machu, Moline; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly Jo and Shawn Leary, Moline; sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel and Maria Machu, Hampton, Richard and Tammy Machu, Moline; stepdaughter and son-in-law, Carla and Matt Schmidt, Morton, Ill.; stepson and daughter-in-law, Craig and Sandee Winegar, Monett, Mo.; grandchildren, Alexis, Roque, Viviana, Amber, Josh, Kylie, Rachel, Reagan, Rian, Broc, Kali and Apryl; mother-in-law, Janice Smith; many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Special thanks to all of Jim's friends for being with his family when they needed you most.