Jeannie Wigton Swisher, 66, of Collinsville, Ill., born Nov. 21, 1945, in Girard, Kan., died Wednesday, March 7, 2012, in Collinsville, Ill.



Mrs. Swisher was raised on a farm. She was the second of seven children, helping with the care of her younger brothers and sisters and helped her father with haying and learning cooking, household and farm skills from her mother. She went to a one room grade school in Brazilton all eight years and then attended Girard, Kansas High School, and was the first in her family to go to college getting both a bachelor and two masters degrees. Jeannie was an avid nature lover. She spent as much time as possible in the outdoors. In her spiritual journey, that was the way she communed with God. She was at one with God when she was in nature. Jeannie spent hours and hours working in and enjoying her garden. She was a member of Meadow Heights Baptist Church.



She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Mildred, nee Brooner, Wigton; and a sister, Dee Strope.



Surviving are her husband, Curtis Swisher of Collinsville, Ill., whom she married June 7, 1969; a son, David (Jessica) Swisher of Newton, Kan.; three daughters, Cindy (Trampas) Whiteman of Lee's Summit, Mo., Janelle Wright of Collinsville, Ill., and her ex husband, Jeffrey of Orlando, Fla., and Paula Swisher of Philadelphia, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Lydia Swisher of Newton, Kan., Joshua Swisher of Newton, Kan., Jeremiah Swisher of Newton, Kan., Susannah Swisher of Newton, Kan., Travis Whiteman of Lee's Summit, Mo., Andy Whiteman of Lee's Summit, Mo., Kelsey Wright of Orlando, Fla., and Robert Wright of Orlando, Fla.; three brothers, Darrell (Debra) Wigton of Wellington, Kan., Raymond (Sun) Wigton of Carmichael, Calif., and Leonard (Ann) Wigton of Andover, Kan.; two sisters, Marla Wigton of Palmdale, Calif., and Cathy Wigton of Tujunga, Calif.



Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or to the Missions at Meadow Heights Baptist Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.



Visitation: Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2012, at Meadow Heights Baptist Church, Collinsville, Ill.



Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 12, 2012, at Meadow Heights Baptist Church, Collinsville, Ill., with Pastor Mike Barnes officiating. Burial will be held at St. John Cemetery, Collinsville, Ill.