Lola Barder Swank, 93, formerly of the Jackson Heights community in Tippecanoe County, passed away at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in The ARC at El Paso, Illinois.
She was born Jan. 19, 1931, at Lafayette, daughter of the late August and Mae Scott Barder. She married Phillip Swank in the Newtown Presbyterian Church on Feb. 19, 1949. He preceded her in death March 17, 1993. They had farmed in the West Point area.
Lola graduated from Romney High School with the class of 1948. She was a member of the former Romney Presbyterian Church where she began singing at age 12. She loved music, singing and was a member of the church choir where she sang many solos. Over the years she was often called on to sing at many weddings and funerals. She enjoyed playing cards with friends, attending county and state fairs as well as attending Purdue University football games and listening to Johnny Cash.
Surviving are: two sons, Donald Swank of rural Attica and Steven Swank of rural West Point; daughter Ruth Anne passed away just three days after her on Oct. 27, 2024; son-in-law Kevin Black of Normal, Illinois; daughter-in-law Cathy Carlson Swank of rural West Point; sister Ruth Anne Powell of Gilroy, California; five grandchildren, Amy, Beth, Emily, Audrey and Phillip; eight great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Richard, infant son Kenneth, three brothers, Frank, George and Gilbert and her daughter Ruth Anne who passed just days after Lola.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate, with funeral services 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Pastor Jerry Miller officiating. Interment will follow in West Point Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are preferred to West Point Fire and Rescue or St. Anne’s Soup Kitchen. Visit us at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or share a condolence.
