
We received word that Jess passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025. Jess was a fixture at Moline High School Class of 1962 reunions (this picture is from the class 80th birthday celebration in September 2024) and a wrestling team member in his school days. Jess was married to MHS classmate Tilli (nee Rivera). We will update Jess' website page when an obituary is made available.
Jesse's Obituary:

Jesse Mendoza
March 9, 1944 — January 30, 2025
Moline

Jesse Mendoza, 80, of Moline, passed away Thursday January 30, 2025, at his home.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. Wednesday February 5, 2025, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Private burial will take place at the Rock Island National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity.
Jesse was born on March 9, 1944, in Rock Island, IL, to Pedro and Julia (Rivas) Mendoza. He married the love of his life of 58 years, Tilli (Rivera) Mendoza on November 25, 1966, in Rock Island. Jesse was a proud U.S. Veteran, having served in the Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966. His favorite enlistments were in Okinawa and Quantico, Virginia. Jesse worked and retired as an electrician for John Deere for 35 ½ years, including his apprenticeship and graduation from Black Hawk College after 4 years.
Jesse loved sports, he was a wrestler in his younger years, and he coached wrestling and other sports for 15 years with the Dad’s Club, John Deere Middle School, and Moline High School; also coaching flag football. Jesse was an avid runner with the Cornbelt Running Club. His family was everything to him, he cherished spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was known as “Papa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jess enjoyed traveling with Tilli to many cities, including San Francisco, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and Maui; visiting 34 states and several countries.
Survivors include his wife, Tilli; son, Jeff Mendoza; grandchildren, Brent Mendoza, Jacob Mendoza, Katlyn (fiancé Patrick Henry McGuinn) Mendoza; great grandchildren, Brayden Mendoza, Faith Mendoza, Merida Mendoza, Christian Mendoza, Luca Pizzo, Nash McGuinn; siblings, Tony Mendoza, Richard Mendoza, Lupe Ashby, Margaret Day, Carmen McGuire, and Mary Jo Ramirez; as well as many friends, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Mendoza and daughter, Stephanie Mendoza; brothers, Frank Mendoza, Joe Mendoza, and David Mendoza; sisters, Connie Ashby, Beatrice Ybarra, and Celia Wilkerson.
Tilli and Jeff would like to thank Jess’s Doctors: Dr. N. Kukhar from UnityPoint, Dr. Pothula, and Dr. Acosta from CVM, and the UnityPoint Hospice Nurses for their compassionate care.
Special thanks to all of the family, friends, and neighbors who have reached out for their love and support during these tough times.
Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com. https://www.esterdahl.com/obituaries/jesse-mendoza
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Richard S Baldwin
This is truly a sad day! Jess was a close friend in school as we were on the wrestling team for three years. I moved out of the area so we lost contact. I saw he and Till I at a few reunions and he never seemed to age . He was always upbeat and a joy to talk to. He seemed to be a friend to everyone.
Linda and I send our condolences to the family.
Jerry W Soukup
I had a great conversation with Jesse at the 60th Reunion. He mentioned he was still doing electrical work for people in need. He was always an exhuburant person person with q great smile. I wrestled one year and remember Jesse as a fierce competitor whose great smile would prevail even while he was wiping the mat with me. RIP & Sempe Fi
Ken Storms
My favorite part of attending the last few Class of '62 events was getting to visit with Jesse and Stuart Mott. Now we have lost both of them. Jesse was always friendly and remembred everybody's name. it was always a pleasure to see him again.
I consider it an honor to have known Jesse for the last 60+ years. He was a unique person who truely showed what was good about the MHS Class of '62. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tlllie and their family.
Richard D Green (Court Now . . ) (Court, Jr)
Jessie Mendoza…what a guy. He was everyone’s friend. He would always listen if you had a problem. Jess was probably one of the greatest wrestlers of all time for Moline. One year he had a 32/1 record. I remember the time when he was to wrestle the State Champion form Maquoketa. There were over 300 people in attendance. Jess pinned him in just 45 seconds. Thus, we nicknamed him “Maquoketa Jess.I met him in 3rd grade and he had a gang from “Fruitland” while I had the “River Rats” who lived on Rock River. We had a terrific fight resulting in bloody nose, black eyes and bruises. When it was over, we laughed and became friends for life.
He is now with my other buddies, Dave, Lou and Stu. I will be with them in the future and we can relive our “Rock & Roll” days…
Rick Court
Richard C. Anderson
So many memories over so many years. Too many to recall here. Just want to say that Jesse always had a smile and a welcoming manner. He and Tilli were fun, but more importantly, they were/are good friends. They have many. Our condolences to the family.
Rick & Sylvia Anderson
Gail Stevens (Barber)
Jesse and Tilli were the cutest couple in highschool and remained the same througout their marriage, full of joy and fun. Prayers and caring for Tilli and the rest of the family.
Dan P Jeffery
Another bright light has been turned off from our class. Over the years, I like everyone else, had to smile whenever we saw Jesse's very big smile. For most of us, it was around the reunions. Jesse had the talent to make all of us feel better. My condolences to Tillie and his family. I shall miss him.
Andrea L Seitz (Gull)
We lost another great one. There are many memories dating decades way back. He and Tilli were always into the MHS activities. He was always upbeat and ready with a joke. I don't think he ever met a stranger. Everywhere he went he had friends or or at least folks who knew him. So sorry to the family. He will be missed terribly.
Louis W Ritchie
I loved Jesse Mendoza, more than he probably realized. Out of all the classmates I had, from John Deere, to Moline High School, Jesse and his wife Tilli, are the only classmate that ever invited over to their house, when I’m in town. I’ve had several Track and Field teammates, over my Jr. High School, and senior high school years, that have never invited me over to their house. Several years ago, Jesse had a party at his house, and Sid Anders, Flip Anders, Ray Kelso, and myself, were invited, as well as some other student athletes. Jesse was never afraid to invite minorities into his household, wondering, what his neighbors might think having all these African Americans coming into his house. Even when I was in grade school, (at Francis Willard) none of my class mates were allowed to invite any (Colored kids) into their house, while celebrating their birthdays. (Back in the fifties, African Americans were known as (Colored people)! I met Jesse for the first time, in 7th grade, because he challenged me to a wrestling match on the football field. Both Jesse and I rolled around on the grass, what seemed like 20 minutes. After it was all said and done, Jesse and I became lifelong friends. I remember running in the state Track and Field meet, in Champaign, and always seeing Jesse Mendoza, sitting in the stands, supporting our Track Team, and always having that big smile on his face. I was home in the Quad-Cities in 2023 for a family reunion, and because of all the running around I did for a couple of weeks, I didn’t get a chance to visit my favorite classmate, (Jesse Mendoza). I remember when heading back to Arizona, I was mad at myself, for not visiting Jesse and Tilli, while I was home. So I decided to place Jesse on my number one priority list, in 2026, when I come home for my next family reunion. Obviously, that’s not going to happen now, that a beautiful soul, like Jesse has been called to a higher authority. I want to leave a message to my friend Jesse Mendoza, (“We’ll meet again someday, and I’ll be able to laugh at all your jokes again, seeing that big smile on your face”)!
I LOVE YOU JESSE! (May you RIP)!
Russell D Howard
What a wonderful display of humanity this man was! We knew him and Tilli in so many different ways. Always that smile and wanting to communicate on our sports memories. My favorite was comparing baseball to wrestling. He said I could pin and outrun you, and I said, I could throw and catch your hits. We both laughed and went on to our respective sports. Rest in peace Jesse.