10/29/2026
Thank you, Mary Schoeve, for helping so many Moline-Coal Valley students cross to school safely over the past 53 years. Congratulations, and enjoy your retirement!
On March 1, 1973 Mary Schoeve began a new job, controlling the intersections near Moline-Coal Valley School District Schools, most notably at her long held post of 7th Street and 16th Avenue.
Gas was about .39 cents a gallon
New construction homes were around $32,000
Pound of ground beef .95 cents
Pluto was still a planet
The world has changed around the little area of 7th Street and 16th Avenue in Moline over the course of the last 53 years but there has been one thing stayed steady, Mary Schoeve.
Tens of thousands of students have crossed her path, heard her say "Get on the sidewalk," and exchanged a friendly wave to and from school over the last 53 years but after her shift today, Mary is hanging up her crossing guard uniform.
Civil servants like Mary are far too often unheralded. She has braved heat and humidity as well as polar vortexes, weather was no match for her desire to be there to ensure our students had a safe crossing to school.
On behalf of the Moline Police Department and the community, thank you Mary. You outlasted Pluto and outperformed any expectations you may have had in 1973.
Enjoy retirement, you have definitely earned it.
