Nancy Swank

Our loved and beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and gregarious and generous friend with the kindest of souls and the biggest of hearts has died. With regrets and deep sorrow, we announce that Nancy Ellen Swank, 66, of Seymour, Missouri, died peacefully but suddenly in her sleep sometime in the overnight of April 23rd, 2025, from an acute medical event.

Nancy was born on August 29th, 1958, in Peoria, Illinois, to Chester D. and Donna R. (Walker) Smith, the true middle child in birth order of seven children. Her hometown was Roanoke, Illinois, where she grew and was raised, and went to school. Nancy graduated from Roanoke Benson High School in 1976, unquestionably one of the greatest times to be a young adult, freshly loosed from the burdens of authority, rules and schedules. Not long after her graduation, Nancy met and soon married Harry Swank in October of 1979, with whom she then began to build her family. Nancy’s sons and their wives and families were a never-ending and deeply immeasurable source of love and pride for her. They are Creighton and Andi Swank, who reside in East Peoria, Illinois, Logan and April (Chew) Swank, who reside in Seymour, Missouri, and Dylan and Brittany (Archibald) Swank who reside in Urbana, Illinois. After spending all her adult life in Roanoke, Nancy was fortunate to be able to move to the Seymour, Missouri, property of Logan and April several years ago, where they had built a small home. It is safe to say she was giddy about the whole arrangement; she was elated to live only steps away from one of her even bigger sources of love and pride: some of her grandchildren.

These grandchildren and great grandchildren were: Thalen Swank, Nancy’s first grandchild by Creighton and Andi. He was completely and thoroughly doted upon and bragged about. Logan then hit the jackpot of grandchildren when marrying April, and grew Nancy’s extended family with: Levi (and Danielle) Davenport, now of Perkins, Oklahoma; Mikayla (and Brock) Scott of Seymour, Missouri; and Madison (and Eric) Helms of Seymour, Missouri. Logan and April then adopted four brothers out of the foster care system: Joshua, Christian, Logan, and Oliver, and Nancy couldn’t have been more overjoyed. Nancy would then talk, text and chat endlessly about the great grandchildren, of which there were four: Paisley, Adalynn, Thomas and Theodore, and another blessed infant due in May.

Nancy was sometimes in a battle with religion, but she knew her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and would repeatedly and sincerely talk about knowing “Dad was up there watching over us.” Her faith may not have been easy to spot nor at the forefront, but she had it, and it was strong. She earned her school and adult friends quickly and kept them for a lifetime. It is quite safe to say that few people could match her hospitality and friendliness. These friends that she made through her life are still friends of her family today, and for that, we all are grateful. Her sons already are commenting on the number of you all who are reaching out to them with the sincerest condolences, and they are all appreciated.

Nancy worked many roles in her life, including the small-town grocery store, K and A video rental in Roanoke, and a receptionist role in her oral surgeon’s office, to name a few. She never followed a single career path, but regardless, was always working full-time hours to support her family while managing her home and keeping everyone fed. Her last role blended many paths in her life, working in food service for Seymour Schools. Food was “one of my mother’s love languages,” as Creighton reported, and as we all knew. You are living a good life if you’ve ever had her egg rolls. We are certain the children in her lunchroom felt that love. She was a unique person, and old soul with a huge heart that anyone who knew was fortunate. Her untimely passing from this earth came far too soon and will leave with her cherished sons, daughters-in-law, grands-and great-grandchildren a void that will be difficult to overcome, but for the love and compassion she gave to her family all their lives.

Rites of cremation have been accorded. In Roanoke, a celebration of life is being planned for a later date.

In Seymour, a visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 6th, from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, 214 W Clinton Ave in Seymour. In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial account at The Seymour Bank for those wishing to contribute. Checks can be made payable to Logan Swank with "Nancy Swank Memorial Fund" in the memo, and either mailed to 4374 P Rd Seymour MO 65746 or dropped off at The Seymour Bank. All funds will be donated to Seymour Schools in Nancy Swank's honor to be used to pay down outstanding school lunch balances. It is exactly what Nancy would have wanted.