Lesilyn Swain Neely

Bloomington Lesilyn Swain Neely Lesilyn Swain Neely died aged 70 at home in Bloomington, Indiana, on January 14, 2025. She

was born on December 4, 1954, in Columbus, Indiana to G. Henry "Hank" Swain and Margaret

"Mardi" Coman Swain of Nashville, IN. Hank, who shared the same birthday, always said she

was "the best birthday present ever."

Lesilyn graduated from Brown County High School before attending The University of

Evansville for a year at Harlaxton Manor, in Grantham, England. She worked as a dispatcher for

the Bloomington Police Department, as a travel coordinator for AAA Bloomington, and for many

years with Bloomington Parks and Recreation, where she retired from in 2017. It was while

working at the BPD that she met Officer Robert "Bob" Neely, and the two were married in Bob's

hometown of Corydon, IN, on May 19, 1984.

Lesilyn had a lifelong love of travel and would plan each step of the trip to make the journey

more interesting for the people she invited along. While claiming she had "no artistic talent," she

loved art and filled her house with paintings and ceramics. Her home wasn't a gallery, but a

place of warmth and beauty where family and friends often gathered. Lesilyn found joy and

strength in things as varied as a cup of morning coffee, her quiet faith, and in-person or

FaceTime visits with her darling grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with those she held

dear to her heart.

Lesilyn was preceded in death by her parents, by Bob, her husband of 31 years, and by their son

Wesley Luke Neely. She is survived by her daughter, Hannah Neely McCuiston, son-in-law

Austin and grandchildren Grace and Jeremiah of Murray, KY. She is also survived by her sisters

Christanne Traxler, Davida Kean, Sylvia Shroyer, and Gwenyth Swain, brothers-in-law Gene,

David, Steve, and Vince, and several nieces and nephews, along with grand-nieces and grand-

nephews as well.

Throughout her life, Lesilyn's warmth, her caring hospitality, incredible optimism, and genuine

interest in others made for strong family ties and countless friendships. Her smile and loving

presence will be missed by all.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 25, 11am-1pm at the Funeral Chapel, 3000 E 3rd St,

Bloomington. A service of remembrance will immediately follow at 1pm. A private burial will be

held at a later date at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Corydon, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations can be

made to the Bob Neely Memorial Shop with a Cop Fund at Don Owen's Memorial Lodge 88,

Fraternal Order of Police, Inc., P.O. Box 1561, Bloomington, IN, 47402.