Eleanor Swinehart

Eleanor J. Swinehart, 82, a resident of rural Churubusco and widow of George R. Swinehart, passed away on Monday afternoon, August 26, 2013 in Lewisville, Texas. She had become unexpectedly ill in February while visiting her daughter in Lantana, Texas. Mrs. Swinehart was born in Fort Wayne on August 17, 1931, a daughter of Eli and Alice (Lochner) Nicolet. She spent her formative years in Fort Wayne, and graduated from Northside High School in 1949. On January 9, 1949 she was married in Fort Wayne to George R. Swinehart. The couple spent the early years of their marriage in Fort Wayne before moving to the family farm in Green Township in 1953. In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, she had previously worked at Coffee, Tea & Thee in Glenbrook Mall. She had been employed as an attendant at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco since 1994, and in that capacity had endeared herself to families throughout Whitley, Noble, and Allen Counties. She was a member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, was past president of its United Methodist Women, and enjoyed her friends in the Red Hat Society. An expert seamstress and quilter, she did alteration work for many people, as well as making wedding gowns for countless brides and bridesmaids, and designing costumes for community plays and pageants. She had also volunteered as a children's leader for Bible Study Fellowship in Fort Wayne for several years. Mr. Swinehart preceded her in death on February 29, 2008. The surviving relatives include her children Bill G. (Diana Liechty) Swinehart of Churubusco, Cheryll (Bob) Fiorendino of Lantana, Tx., Susan (Kevin) Howlett of North Canton, Oh., and Robert C. (Lindsay) Swinehart of West Peoria, Il; her grandchildren Adam Swinehart, Malinda Neith, Jaimee (Jared) Granberry, Drew Howlett, Allison (Matt) Guba, Austin Howlett, and Drake Swinehart; and her great-granddaughter Grey Nicolet Granberry. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers Eugene Nicolet and Robert Nicolet; and by a grandson Nicholas Swinehart Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. on Sunday, September 1, 2013, in the Churubusco United Methodist Church with Pastor Corinne Boruff-Stucker, officiating. The family will receive friends at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Saturday from 2 to 6 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Leo Memorial Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main Street, Churubusco, IN 46723 *********************************** To leave an online condolence for the family in Mrs. Swinehart's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .