Louis W. Swinger, 93, of Edinburg. IL, passed away on February 5, 2014 at 5:23 a.m. at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL. He was born on September 4, 1920 in Jacksonville, IL; the son of Alfred G. and Agnes (Vasey) Swinger. He was a retired farmer. Mr. Swinger studied Accounting at Milliken University before entering the USA Air Corps. Captain Swinger served as a B-17 Bombardier in missions over Europe during WWII. He set a record for completing of 50 missions within a 3 month period. Following his service he married Mary Olga Gresham of Atwater, California on August 23, 1944; she preceded him in passing in 1996. In 1945 he returned to farm with his father in Morrisonville; then moved to Edinburg to work the farm that continues to be operated by his family. For many years he was a District Manager for the Bear Hybrid Seed Corn Company. During his life in Edinburg Mr. Swinger was an active participant in the Edinburg Methodist Church, sporting activities, Blueville Masonic Lodge #647 A.F. & A.M., the Edinburg volunteer Fire Department and the Edinburg Lions Club. Mr. Swinger was a lifelong member of the Christian County Farm Bureau and a member of the Illinois Farmers Union. He also served on the board of the Mechanicsburg Farmers Co-0p. He is survived by his children: Gary Swinger of Pleasant View, TN. Marsha (David) Curry of Marissa, IL, Marla (Jerry) Dewhirst of Mahomet, IL, Robert (Deborah) Swinger of Edinburg, IL and Maureen (Jeffery) Koppelman of Columbia, MO; sixteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in passing by his parents, his loving wife Olga; granddaughter, Anna Dewhirst; brothers: Jack & George Swinger.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville, IL. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at the Edinburg United Methodist Church. The body will lie in state from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Rev. Ray Radae will officiate the services. Burial will be in Morrisonville Cemetery in Morrisonville, IL.
Memorials may be made to: Edinburg United Methodist Church in memory of Louis Swinger, 102 W. Douglas St., Edinburg, IL 62531
Arrangements by Sutton Memorial Home, Taylorville, IL.
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