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Thomas Swearingen
1938 - 2025
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Thomas Swearingen Obituary
February 5, 1938 - November 3, 2025
Thomas F. Swearingen (Tom) passed away peacefully on November 3, 2025, in Elmhurst, Illinois. Tom was born in Kansas City, Kansas on February 5, 1938, to Eileen (Stick) and George Swearingen. He graduated from Winona High School and the University of Minnesota.
Tom met Carol Schmidgall in Minneapolis, and they were married on November 27, 1964. Their two children, Stacey and Jeff, were born in Minnesota, and the family later moved to Atlanta, Georgia and Peoria, Illinois, returning to the Twin Cities in 1980. Tom worked as an accountant, specializing in work for engineering and architectural firms, before his retirement in 1999. Tom and Carol then moved to Texas to be close to three of their grandchildren. They moved to Elmhurst in 2022, where they joined Park Place, a retirement community close to Stacey and her husband.
His first-grade teacher said it best when meeting Tom's family at George Swearingen's funeral: "Tom never spoke much, but when he talked, all the other children listened." He was a devoted and selfless husband, father, and grandfather, and got the greatest pleasure in taking care of his family from behind the scenes, quietly and without need for recognition. His children and grandchildren benefited from his talents in many ways, such as when he built a playhouse for Stacey and Jeff in Peoria – without a blueprint – and many years later stayed with Stacey's family for two weeks to build a nearly identical clubhouse for her boys.
Tom is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Stacey Swearingen White (Scott); son, Jeff (Tricia); five grandchildren, Lindsey Gehring (Nick), Kacey Swearingen, Alex Swearingen, Thomas White, and Isaac White; and his brother, Jim (Sandy) Swearingen. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John and Bill; and his sister, Helen Ann. Tom was deeply loved and will be similarly missed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements in care of Pedersen Ryberg Funeral Home. For information (630) 834 - 1133.
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