John R. Tavernier, 68, of rural Frederick, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, died at 1:02 p.m. Dec. 6, 2015, at his home.John R. Tavernier, 68, of rural Frederick, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, died at 1:02 p.m. Dec. 6, 2015, at his home.
He was born April 15, 1947, in St Paul, Minn., the son of Klyce “Tavy” and Eula Mae Johnson Tavernier. He married Vicki Fischer on Dec. 18, 1971. She preceded him in death on March 10, 2009. He married Pamella Diane Heinz on June 27, 2011, in Davenport, Iowa. She survives.
Also surviving are two children, Jennifer Kristen Banks of Davenport, Iowa, and Sean Christopher (and Erin) Tavernier of Milan; one stepdaughter, Britt (and Tyler) Heinz-Amborn of Minneapolis, Minn.; one sister, Judy (and Bob) Given of McKinney, Texas; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one nephew, Michael Given.
His family moved from St. Paul to Pekin 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 from 1969-73; Pinckneyville, 1973-78; Music Department Chairman in Rock Falls, 1978-80; and 1980-85 School Fund Raising. In 1985, he joined Thrivent Financial as a financial consultant. He retired in 2011.
He played with the Illinois Saxophone Quintet from 1972-94 with performances in Canada, France, England, Germany and throughout the Midwest. He did volunteer work, coached his children’s sport teams and coordinated 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 First United Methodist Church and assisting with the Rushville/Industry High School Band preparing for performances.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport, Iowa. Visitation will be held from noon until service time Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery in Davenport.Wood Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Rushville/Industry Music Boosters.
Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.
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