On March 23, 2023, a faithful and loving heart stopped beating at Hope Creek, East Moline. Colleen S. Despain, 85, of Geneseo, earned her angel wings and is now whole again in heaven. Visitation for Colleen will be 5-7 P.M. Friday, March 31, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel. Cremation will be accorded following the visitation. A funeral service celebrating Colleen’s life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Geneseo Evangelical Free Church. Reverend Stephen Palm will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo, following the celebration of life. Memorials may be left to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Association (https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate).

Colleen lived a full life as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Her greatest passions were her family and her faith. She was a devoted grandmother who loved spending time playing and laughing with her grandchildren and her dogs, Dusty, and Ruffles. In her younger years, Colleen enjoyed crafting, working in her garden, and traveling with her family. Those who knew her best could always find her sitting in the shade, feeling the breeze on her face, enjoying all that nature had to offer. Colleen was a member of the Geneseo Evangelical Free Church and volunteered her time teaching the Awana program, helping many children come to know Jesus. Her spirit and strength live on in each of her grandchildren and in the lives that she touched.

Colleen was born February 6, 1938, in Waterloo, IA, the daughter of George and Pearl Halligan. Colleen married William “Red” Despain on January 14, 1956, in Hillsdale, IL.

Colleen is survived by her sons Tim (Cheryl) Despain and Steven (Jackie) Despain of Geneseo, IL; daughter Lorrie (Bob) Schwenneker of Hernando, FL; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and several sisters and one brother.

Colleen is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, three sisters, two brothers, and a granddaughter.