Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Kilpatrick

Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Kilpatrick took her rest from this life at 9:27 on Tuesday morning, October 28, 2025 at UnityPoint Trinity Rock Island, after a few weeks' illness.

Born July 9, 1952 in Muscatine, Iowa, she was adopted that day by George and Myrle Sweeney, of Clinton County. There, she attended Camanche schools until eighth grade; during this time, she placed her soul in the trust of Christ, accepting him at the age of ten years. From Camanche, she attended Oak Park Academy, in Nevada, Iowa, graduating in 1971.

From there, she went to Lincoln, Neb., to attend Union College, where she completed two bachelor's degrees: one in Elementary Education (1976) and Journalism (1983). After much work, delay, and perseverance, she also obtained a Master's in Human Development and the Family, in December 1998. In that span of time, she taught in Seventh-day Adventist schools in Montana, New Mexico, and North Dakota.

She married Bob Swingle on the afternoon of her graduation day in 1976; he passed away in 1981. In 1982, she married Maurice Walls, remaining so until his death in 1995. On May 23, 1997, she married Jeff Kilpatrick III, who survives her.

Her great passions were these: education, specifically adult literacy and wanting to teach adults; unwavering belief in fairness and justice, marked by a special fire toward taking the part of those she felt were hard done by; finally, a love for animals which followed her entire life. She had various dogs, cats, and even guinea pigs until the final few months of her life.

A source of joy to her was her 1984 reunion with her biological family, and getting to meet them and to know a new network of relatives.

She was preceded in death by her Clinton parents, George and Myrle; her birth parents, Ernie and Marcella Moore; her first two husbands, Bob Swingle and Maurice Elliot Walls; most of her eleven siblings and half-siblings; and a number of pets with whom she shared her home and heart throughout her lifetime.

Among her survivors are her husband, Jeff III; his extended family, Jeff Jr, Andrew, and Taylor Kilpatrick, and John and Rita Terry, all of Oklahoma; as well as another brother, David Alan Kilpatrick of Manila, Philippines. She is also believed to be survived by two sisters: Eugenia "Jeannie" Brown, of Muscatine, Iowa, and Ernestine Vande Weerd of Fort Worth, Texas. Also to be considered are her many nieces and nephews, and the friends she made in various seasons of her life. Unfortunately, space does not allow for naming all of them, but if you were one, know that she loved you.

A memorial service will be held at Davenport Seventh-day Adventist Church, 4444 West Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 22. All are welcome to attend as you are able.

As to her body, the decision had to be made, and that within very short order on the day of her passing, that it should be donated for scientific research, and her corneas to restore the gift of someone's sight. Her body will therefore be cremated, and Jeff will care for her ashes on their return to him.

Flowers are appreciated, but more appreciated are donations to Kings Harvest Shelter, 21110 Holden Drive, Davenport, IA 52806, and to Animal Aid Humane Society, 239 50th Street, Moline, IL 61265. If you don't live in the Quad Cities, as indeed most of you don't, you are encouraged to consider your own local no kill animal shelters and/or adult literacy programs.