Jay Vonderhaar

James "Jay" Vonderhaar, 83, a resident of Bettendorf, died peacefully in his sleep, Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at his home. Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday May 20, 2023 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Bettendorf.  The Mass will be livestreamed by visiting Our Lady of Lourdes Facebook Page  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport. Visitation will be 4-7 pm Friday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home Davenport with a prayer service offered at 6:30 p.m.  There will be additional visitation at church on Saturday from 9 until 10 a.m.

Jay was born April 27, 1940 in Ft. Madison, Iowa, the son of Alvin and Louise (Stolwyk) Vonderhaar. He was united in marriage to Collette Wagner on July 21, 1962. Jay spent his entire business career in the Quad Cities; 25 years as CPA and Executive Partner with McGladrey et al (now RSM) and 15 years as owner and CEO of Miller Container Corporation.  Throughout those years, Jay was active in numerous business, civic and community organizations. He is a past member of the Davenport Jaycees, the Davenport Chamber of Commerce, and the Quad Cities Industrial Development Group. He was a member and past President of the Davenport Noon Optimist Club as well as a member and past President of both The Davenport Club and The Davenport Country Club. Jay has served on the Board of Directors of many other Quad Cities Public and Private Organizations and Corporations. He has been active in fund raising for many charitable and community organizations and has recently been on the Lead Gifts Committee for Capital Projects at The Kahl Home, The Handicapped Development Center and The Embracing Our Future Campaign at Assumption High School

Jay has long been a strong supporter of Catholic Education. Since his retirement in 2001, he has been involved with Assumption High School on the Finance Committee. He also was involved in the development and passage of the State of Iowa Tuition Tax Credit Assistance Program (STO) which offers tax credits to families who wish to send their children to private schools in the State of Iowa. Jay was also Chairman for many years of the Mississippi Valley STO which manages the State Credit for all Catholic Schools in Scott County. Jay has established Scholarships at several Catholic grade schools and high schools in Iowa and Illinois. Most recently, Jay was excited about supporting the One Faith-One Family-One Future campaign to build a new Catholic School in Bettendorf.

Jay enjoyed trips to St. Croix, his golfing buddies in Florida and Bettendorf and taking Bass and Walleye fishing trips with friends and family. He was particularly loved and cherished by the

"Bobfest" group that travels to Table Rock Lake each spring. Jay's greatest joy came from his pride in his grandchildren. He took great interest in each one individually and in the group as a whole. He taught them with his tremendous example and perfectly placed bits of advice. They were blessed to have him.

Jay is survived by his wife of 60 years, Collette; daughter Susan (Tim) Anderson of Long Beach, Indiana and their children Robin Pasowicz (John), Stephanie and Emily; son, Michael (Joanie) Vonderhaar of Bettendorf and their children J.T. (Natalie), Matt (Danielle), Ellie McCullough (Ben) and Anna; son David Vonderhaar of Cedar Falls, Iowa and his children Ashley, Zach (Amber) and Nick; great-grandchildren: Elaine, JJ, Gus & Eli; sisters: Carrie (Leroy) Dierker of Cleveland, Ohio; and Joan(Pete) Redmon of Chicago, and many nieces and nephews.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Paul and a sister, Judy Knight. May they rest in peace.

Memorials may be made to The Vonderhaar Family Foundation which supports various charities in the Quad Cities area and needy families and children throughout the world; to the One Faith-One Family-One Future Campaign or to Assumption High School.