Kathleen M. "Kate" Swinson Obituary (1931 - 2016)

Kathleen Margurette Swinson, age 85, passed away with family by her side on Monday, November 14, 2016 after a long illness. She was born April 3, 1931 on a farm in Evansville, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of George D. Miller and Eleanor (Dalton) Miller. She married John R. Slocum of Durand, Illinois in 1950 and had eight children together during their 23 year marriage. She married Lawrence L. Swinson in 1974 and they were married until his death in 2007. While raising her eight children, Kathleen took a cashiers positon with M&M Grocery in 1967. In 1972 she purchased the A-frame restaurant naming it “Katie’s Korner”. The business was sold after several years of successful operation thus allowing more time for her and Larry to garden, golf, and travel the country, visiting their 13 adult children. The family would like to thank Medina Nursing Center and its tremendous staff for the care they gave Kate and the Northern Illinois Hospice for the care these past few weeks of her life. Survivors include her children Ronald Slocum, Rockford, IL, Mary (Jeff) Wilmarth, Byron IL., Shelly (Bill) Perkins, Durand IL, Marcy (Terry) Scamehorn, Longmont CO, Daniel (Randy) Slocum, Chicago IL, Robert (Laurie) Slocum, Rodney Slocum and Edward (Sabine) Slocum all of Durand IL; stepchildren Jeff Swinson, Lake Forest, IL, Doran (Patty) Swinson, Peoria, IL, Dean (Kitty) Swinson, Santa Barbara, CA, and Darlene (Jerry) Weaver, Rockton, IL; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Larry, sisters Geraldine Lease and Georgia Anne Miller, stepfather Eugene L. Meunier, stepson Douglas Swinson and step-grandson Craig Weaver. Private ceremonies will be held. Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Durand, IL. McCorkle Funeral Home-Durand Chapel, 101 W Main Street, Durand, IL assisted the family.