In loving memory of John Lee McAlister, we are saddened to announce that John passed away at the age of 77 on Monday, April 1, 2024, at home with his family in Coal Valley, IL. Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo, IL, will handle a private family memorial service. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at the River Room located in Hyatt Place on Bend Blvd. in East Moline, IL, for those that would like to join his family in honoring his memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) at www.cancerresearch.org. Online condolences may be left to John’s family at www.fippingerfuneralhome.com.
John was born on January 3, 1947, in Oklahoma to Jerald D. McAlister and Laura Jean Hulme McAlister. The family eventually settled in Aledo, IL, where John grew up helping on the family farm and graduating as an Aledo Green Dragon in 1966. John put himself through barber college and in 1974, John opened Man’s Image on the Avenue of the Cities in East Moline. Man’s Image became one of the top hair salons in the area, offering styled cuts, color, perms, and hairpieces. John cut hair for over 50 years. He loved his clientele; he considered them friends and many became like family. John always said he was fortunate to go to work every day loving what he did. John lived with a smile on his face and had a sense of humor that brightened everyone’s day. He was compassionate toward all people and had a love for life that was contagious. John loved boating on the Mississippi, golfing with friends, and caring for his immaculate yard. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten by all those that surrounded him.
John was a devoted husband, survived by his wife of 47 years, Renee McAlister. John was a loving father, survived by children, Krista (Mike) Hutton, Jill McAlister (Greg Gerstmyer), and Jon (Joan) McAlister. John was preceded in death by his parents and survived by siblings, Bob (Mary Lee) McAlister and Sandra (Bob) Faucet. Grandchildren who survived John include Hannah Hutton, Jon Hutton, and Graycen Gerstmyer.