Joseph Alphonse “Joe” Bustos, Sr. died on Saturday, August 17, 2024, surrounded by his family.  He was 95 years old.

There will be private services.  Sullivan-Ellis Mortuary, Ltd., East Moline is assisting the family.

Joe loved his family, his music, and telling stories, which still made him laugh until the end.  He loved his country, enlisting in the US Army when he was only 17 years old, proudly serving at the end of World War II as a Mess Sergeant. 

Joe was born on September 17, 1928 in a boxcar along the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois.  He lived at Cook’s Point in Davenport, Iowa.  Joe raised his family on Campbell’s Island, in East Moline, Illinois.

Joe married Geraldine Householder after coming home from the Army.  She passed on May 17, 1987.  Joe worked at John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline as a proud member of the United Auto Workers Local 865.  His main hobby was working many nights and weekends as a drummer in many local country and western bands.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Joseph “Joe” Bustos, Jr. (Rhonda), Ruth Segura (Bob), and Gerald “Gerry” Bustos (Cheri), his son-in-law, Leroy Althiser, his 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Bustos, and his daughter, Barbara Althiser.