Wilburn E. Swetland
Wilburn E. Swetland, age 89, of DuQuoin, IL, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. surrounded by his family.
Wilburn was born on August 19, 1925 in Elkville, IL, a son to Otis and Stella (Campbell) Swetland. On July 15, 1955, he married Norma Jean Cook in DuQuoin, IL and she survives. Wilburn was a member of the First Baptist Church, DuQuoin, IL, retired from Freeman United Coal Company #11 where he worked as an accountant and was the gate supervisor for the DuQuoin State Fair for 47 years. In his earlier years, he worked for American Stove Company, St. Louis, MO, owned and operated a DX Service Station in DuQuoin, IL, also worked for P R Mallory and CO, DuQuoin, IL and Phelps Dodge Cable and Wire Company, DuQuoin, IL. He was a member of Kiwanis Club, DuQuoin, IL and was a home plate umpire for many years for Khoury League, American Legion and many other leagues in the DuQuoin area.
At the age of 2, he developed polio which he never let slow him down. Wilburn was a great example of the greatest generation. He tried to enlist into the United States Army to work in the office even with his disability during WW II, but was turned down. As a young boy he passed newspapers and helped on the family farm. He was an active philanthropist and made monthly donations to numerous charities and organizations to help disabled and underprivileged children. Wilburn loved crossword puzzles, watching Cardinal baseball, enjoyed learning, working in the yard and Bar-B-Queing and Boots Randolph music. He dearly loved his wife, children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Swetland of DuQuoin, IL; four children, Stephen (Cathy) Swetland of Gallitan, TN, Gordon (Alice) Swetland of DuQuoin, IL, Mike (Marci) Swetland of Tamaroa, IL and Lee Ann (Rusty) Sutton of Pinckneyville, IL; ten grandchildren, Stephen (Linda) Swetland of AK, Aaron Swetland of TN, Amanda (Adam) Findley of PA, Mallory Swetland of PA, Molly Swetland of MD, Heath (Sara) Swetland of IL, Sage Swetland of IL, Collin Swetland of IL, Avery Swetland of IL and Sierra Fornear (Nathan Webb) of IL; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; numerous step grandchildren, step great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond Swetland and Ed Swetland and one sister, Ihle Eisenhauer.
Funeral services will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, DuQuoin, IL on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with Brother Rob Mathis officiating. Interment will be in Paradise Cemetery, Tamaroa, IL.
Friends may call at Pyatt Funeral Home, DuQuoin, IL on Monday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children or Kiwanis International.
For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com