Donald SWift

Date of Birth

Aug 27,1942

Date of Death

Oct 15,2004

DONALD E. SWIFT, age 62, of Maple Park, IL, passed away Friday morning, October 15, 2004 at the Alden Valley Ridge Care Center, Glendale Heights, IL, where he had recently become a patient. With courage, determination and the loving devotion of his wife and daughters, Don fought the effects of Huntington’s Disease for some seventeen years. BORNHe was born August 27, 1942 in St. Charles, IL, the son of Frederick J. and Grace (Cartee) Swift. The family made their home in Geneva until Don was three, when they moved to Smith Road, near Elburn. Don graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1961 and began working in Elgin, IL while attending night school for a time. MILITARYHe served his country during the Viet Nam War and was stationed in Germany for a time. Following his discharge, he returned to Elburn where he began working as a machinist for Thryselius Machining. In 1973, Don took a new job at Caterpillar Tractor Corporation, Aurora where he worked as an inspector for many years. MARRIAGE On July 12, 1969, he was united in marriage to Barbara "Bobbie" Blake at St. Peter’s Church, Geneva. They made their home in Elburn on Read Street where their daughter, Kari was born. In the late seventies, they moved to Kaneland Estates where their second daughter, Megan was born. LIFE NOTES The story of Don’s life is really all about "family". He was a man with a mind for things mechanical, hands that could make anything and a heart that was open to sharing all of it. In his lifetime, Don restored 1963 an 1964 Corvettes, vastly remodeled their Elburn home, built their home in Kaneland Estates and installed in ground pools at both homes. He was a quiet unassuming man with a great sense of humor and a gentle, loving nature that children loved. It didn’t seem to matter where Don was, shopping, doctor’s offices or just in the neighborhood, children came to his side and knew they were welcome. SURVIVORS In addition to his wife, Barbara of Maple Park, he is survived by his mother, Grace, of Batavia;Two daughters: Kari (Chris) Soprych of Elgin, IL,Megan (Cale) Loebbaka, of Elburn;one grandson, Ethan Soprych;One sister Sylvia (Ron) Hein of Genoa, ILTwo brothers: Jim (Marilyn) Swift of Sugar Grove, Il Fred Swift of ElburnThree sisters-in-law: Kay Swift of Elburn, Peggy (Andy) Glaser of Annandale, NJ andColleen (Paul) Trinko of Glen Ellyn, ILOne brother-in-law, Wendell Harley, also of Elburn. His mother and father-in-law: George and Helen Blake, Salida, COMany nieces and nephews and a family of good friends.Preceded: He joins now his father, Frederick J., one brother Henry Swift, one sister Marilyn Harley, and one sister in infancy Susan who preceded him in death. VISITATION – FUNERALVisitation will be held Monday, October 19, 2004 from 4-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St.,Elburn. Funeral services will follow, Tuesday, October 20, at 10:30am at the funeral home. The Rev. Katherine Lawes will officiate and interment services will follow at River Hills Cemetery, Batavia, IL. MEMORIALSMemorials in his memory will be used to support the battle against Huntington’s Disease and to remember organizations that helped Don, through the years. Checks may be made to the Donald Swift Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 19, 2004 from 4-8pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St.,Elburn. Funeral services will follow, Tuesday, October 20, at 10:30am at the funeral home. The Rev. Katherine Lawes, pastor of the Community Congregational Church, Elburn, will officiate. Memorials in his memory will be used to support the battle against Huntington’s Disease and to remember organizations that helped Don, through the years. Checks may be made to the Donald Swift Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.

Interment services will follow at River Hills Cemetery, Batavia, IL.

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