May 21, 2025
Local News

Arduini loses battle with cancer

Services set for popular city clerk

By TODD McKENNA
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City Clerk Eric Arduini talks about the history of the Hennepin Canal in July 2017, during a Rock Falls sesquicentennial event at Merrill School. Arduini stepped up to fill in for Frank Yaklich of Rock Falls during a talk about the canal’s history and its local impact. Yaklich had been planning to give the presentation, but he died July 1. Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott said Arduini was a driving force behind the success of the city’s 150th sesquicentennial celebration 2 years ago. (Michael Krabbenhoeft)

ROCK FALLS – Eric Arduini was great at his job as city clerk, but friends and coworkers say he was an even better man.

Those people and many others are grieving the loss of Arduini, 45, who died of cancer Friday following a recent diagnosis.

“Eric was an outstanding individual and member of our team,” Rock Falls Mayor Bill Wescott said. “When he took over as city clerk, I knew him before then, but we got closer as we worked together. He loved Rock Falls and will be missed as our clerk and as an individual.”

Arduini was city clerk 6 years; he was elected to his first term in April 2013.

He was one of those community-oriented people who always was willing to pitch in and lend a hand, no matter what the cause was, Wescott said.

“You could call on him anytime and he would allocate time to help. I remember when we celebrated our 150th sesquicentennial, it was hard to get people involved, then Eric co-chaired it and was a driving force behind it’s success.”

He was the kind of person you don’t ever want to lose, but he would want us to pick up and move on. He always wanted the best for Rock Falls.”

Arduini’s love of his community was evidenced by his participation in the many organizations to which he devoted time, personally and professionally. He was president of the Rock Falls Optimist Club, secretary of the Rock River Development Authority, which oversees cleanup of the Hennepin Canal, and also held positions statewide as part of his role as city clerk.

“He filled various roles and always represented the city well,” Wescott said.

An avid interest in technology led Arduini to be a podcaster on Podmutz and also to get involved in bringing city-operated broadband internet to Rock Falls.

He attended Harvest Time Bible Church and was a member of the IIMC Athenian Fellowship.

Among others, Arduini is survived by his wife, Cathy, his son, Philip and his daughter, Nicole.

SERVICES

A gathering of Eric Arduini's friends and family will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Harvest Time Bible Church, 1802 Dixon Ave. in Rock Falls.

A memorial service begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Rock Falls City Hall and its offices will be closed Tuesday in observance of Arduini’s passing.