Raymond William Swann

LIBERTY, Ill. -- Raymond William Swann, 66, of Liberty, died at 3:17 p.m. Tuesday (May 24, 2011) in Sunset Home in Quincy.

Raymond was born Oct. 24, 1944, in Kirksville, Mo., a son of Marion Willis and Martha Evelyn Kriegshauser Swann. He married Nancy Sharon "Sherri" Howerton on Jan. 16, 1965, in Edina, Mo. She survives.

A 1962 graduate of Novelty High School in Novelty, Mo., Raymond served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1966, during which time he was stationed in Iceland, Newfoundland and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex. He was honorably discharged with the rank of petty officer third class, and served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1966 to 1968.

After his military service, Raymond worked at newspapers in Burlington, Iowa, and New Albany, Ind. In Quincy, he worked in the parts department at Steve Nosser Ford, and in sales, purchasing and marketing positions at Chanen's Auto Supply-IMI Corp. For the past 21 years, he worked at George Keller and Sons, where he became co-manager of operations and the wholesale lawn and garden manager.

Raymond was a member of PASA. He was a past recipient of the Quincy Pistol and Rifle Club Indoor Pistol League Most Improved Award. He also enjoyed birdwatching, spending time outdoors and was well known for the meticulous care of his lawn. Most of all, Raymond enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.

Survivors include a son, Christopher Swann of Greensboro, N.C.; a daughter, Kelly (Douglas) VanderMaiden of Quincy; three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Gabriel and Andrew VanderMaiden; three brothers, Bruce (Debra) Swann of Urbana, Kurt Swann of San Diego and John (Patricia) Swann of Utica, N.Y.; and two sisters, Margaret Ann (Gary) Gibson of Edina, Mo., and Mary Bayles of St. Louis.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gregg Swann.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Disseler officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in Locust Hill Cemetery west of Novelty, Mo.

VISITATION: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

MEMORIALS: Due to the care and compassion shown to Raymond and his family by the staff at Sunset Home, the family requests that, In lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Sunset Home.

WEBSITE: www.hansenspear.com.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.