Jay A Bridge

Jay Alan Bridge, 82, of Indianapolis, passed away on October 24, 2022, with family by his side.  He was born on January 12, 1940, in Moline, IL to Gaylord and Ardath Hagel Bridge and spent his childhood living in Moline, IL and Port Byron, IL.    He was a 1958 graduate of Riverdale Community High School in Port Byron, IL.  He was employed by International Harvester and its successor company Navistar International for 47 years, retiring in July 2005.  Jay worked as a Machine Operator in Rock Island, IL at the Farmall plant and as a machine operator in Indianapolis at Navistar’s Diesel Engine plant.  Jay married Roberta Reihm on January 13, 1962, in Geneseo, IL.  They later divorced.  Jay then married Diane Quinn on March 21, 1974, in Las Vegas, NV.  He loved wine, traveling, Iowa Hawkeye football and spending time living life to its fullest with family and friends.

Jay is survived by his 4 children which include Angela Aten (Norman), Des Moines, IA; Scott Bridge (Brenda Anderson), East Moline, IL, Dawn Hall (Michael), Fortville, IN and Darren Bridge (Angela), Indianapolis.  He is also survived by 6 grandchildren which include Erica Aten (Elizabeth Woods), Portland, OR; Olivia Arens (Kevin), Des Moines, IA; Tyler Aten, Iowa City, IA; Brianna Hall, Fortville, IN; Julia Bridge and Andrew Bridge of Indianapolis.

Great-grandson Ellison Arens and baby boy Arens (due in February 2023) also survive him.

Jay is also survived by his siblings which include Judith Kilcoin of Bettendorf, IA; Thomas (Elaine) Bridge of Hampton, IL; Timothy Bridge (William Holzemer) of San Francisco, CA; Dale (Judith) Bridge of Oswego, IL and Sandra Bridge-Chase (Gregg) of Port Byron, IL.  Jay is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Vic and Kathy Quinn of Davenport, IA; Aunt Mary Kruse of Moline, IL; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The love of his life, his wife Diane Bridge, preceded him in death along with parents Gaylord and Ardath Bridge, a sister-in-law Rebecca Bridge, a brother-in-law James Kilcoin as well as several cousins, aunts and uncles.

Jay was a kind and caring man who was loved by many and never met a stranger.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Joy’s House (www.joyshouse.org)

His visitation will be Saturday, November 5th, at Flanner Buchanan – Geist, 7855 Cork Road, Indianapolis, IN, from 11am-1pm. His funeral will begin at 1pm. He will be laid to rest at Old Oaklandon Cemetery in Indianapolis.