Norman 'Gene' Swaney

Norman Eugene Gene Swaney passed away Friday afternoon at Provena United Samaritan hospital in Danville. Born March 19th, 1929 on a farm near Fairmount, Gene was the third of four children born to Lyle and Isabel Swaney. Sisters June (Lonbom), Delores (White) and brother Richard all preceded him in death as did his parents. He married Betty Ruth Daniels on January 7th, 1950. She was his one and only until passing away 51 years later in October, 2001. During that half century Gene and Betty raised three children, saw the births of six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom survive. They are Dan, his wife Jane (Borders), grandsons Matthew, wife Vickie and Andrew all of Bloomington, Illinois. Daughter Vickie Earles, Tim Reardon, grandson Nathan, his wife Kara (Todd) and great-grandchildren Colden and Addison live in Catlin. Grandson Dustin resides in Catlin. Younger son Garry and wife Kim (Weaver) live in Williamsport, Indiana. Granddaughter Hillary Brier, husband Jason and great-grandson Easton live near Attica, Indiana. Granddaughter Heather (Copas) , great-grandchildren Gage and Gatlin live in Covington, Indiana.. A veteran of the Korean War, Gene missed just one day of work in 43 years as a pressman for the Danville Commercial-News serving as president of the local union. During that time he was active in Danville and Catlin area sports. He played fast pitch softball, coached and served as president of the Catlin Little League, was part of the sideline chain gang for Catlin football and scorekeeper for the Wolverine basketball team for nearly two decades. Gene was also head scorekeeper for the Illinois High School Boys State basketball tournaments for many years. He also sold real estate in the Danville area. Other interests included playing golf, doing crossword puzzles, exercising his thumb on his TV remote control and playing with his dog, Sweetie, who also survives. He was also a Bears, Cubs and Fighting Illini fan, disappointed that he could count on one hand the number of times those teams won a championship. Friends and family may say goodbye Monday, October 29, 2007 from 4-8pm and 1 hour before a celebration of his life at 10am Tuesday, October 30, 2007. Services will be held at Sunset Funeral Home in Danville located at 3940 N. Vermilion Street. Private military services will be accorded next to his wife at Johnson Cemetery near Danville. In lieu of flowers Gene requests memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association with hopes monies will go to help cure this dreadful disease. E-mail condolences to www.sunsetfuneralhome.com