Julius Charles Cocquit, 68, of Geneseo, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Hope Creek Nursing Home, East Moline, IL. Cremation rites will be accorded, and a memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Kingswood Church, Geneseo. Reverend Dr. Chris Ritter will officiate. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel on Thursday, October 16, 2025. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Julius Cocquit Memorial Fund. Julius requested, in his memory, that everyone that attends wear their best scrapping (work) clothes.
Julius was born on December 14, 1956, the son of Henry and Shirley (Bailey) Cocquit, in Moline, IL. He graduated from JD Darnall High School, class of 1975. Julius was a farmer, auctioneer, and a scrapper. He enjoyed spending time scrapping, looking for antiques, collecting John Deere toy tractors, and going to the sale barn. His favorite eating establishments and food consisted of barbeque, KFC, LaRoma’s, and the Aircraft Grill. Pepsi was not just a beverage, but a way of life! Julius’s most cherished memories were spent with family, especially with his five children.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Hannah Cocquit of Galesburg, Seth (Lindsey) Cocquit of Peoria, Regina Kappelman-May of Lebanon, TN, Juliun Cocquit of Geneseo, and Victoria (Nick Gillette) Cocquit of Nashville, TN; three grandchildren, Cora and Emmie Cocquit, and Charlie May; and siblings, Greg (Marilyn) Cocquit of New Windsor, Theresa Cocquit of Rushford, MN, Pam Jones of Coal Valley, Pat (Tina) Cocquit of Wataga, Scott (Julie) Cocquit of Geneseo, and Mike Cocquit of Geneseo, IL.
Julius was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Shirley Cocquit; and two nephews, Nick Cocquit and Greg Cocquit, Jr.