Elvin Swank
Elvin Dean Swank was born July 18, 1944, on the family farm in Benton, Iowa. He was welcomed home by his parents Lyle and Georgine and 2 big brothers Lyle, Jr. and Leonard. He would soon be the big brother to Lila, Rose, and Frances.
Elvin went to school in Benton, Iowa till he graduated from eighth grade. He continued his education in Diagonal, Iowa, graduating in 1962. After graduating from High School, he went on to serve in the Army from 1965 to 1967. As a tank mechanic he was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.
After returning from the service, he would go and hang out with the guys. Most popular spot was the skating rink where he could skate faster backwards than forwards. The skating rink is where he found his love, Cathy Lynn Buck.
Elvin and Cathy got married on December 12,1971 at the Free Methodist Church in Mount Ayr. They soon started making a family, first a son Eric Dean in 1973 and then completing the family was a daughter Audrey Pauline in 1977. Later his pride and joy came along Trevor, Connor, Korbin, Alexandrea, Zoey, and Zachary.
Elvin worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for most of his life, helping build ponds and lakes for Shaha Construction and Jeff Sickels Dozing, LLC until he retired in 2020.
He had many hobbies from the love of tractors to working in his woodshed. He loved being in his woodshed, he made each of his grandkids a cedar chest and many things for family members. His tractor collection ranged from old hit and miss motors to his antique tractors. He restored all his tractors and started them at least once a year, just to keep them tuned up. He would take them to Blackmore Corner Antique Farm Show to be used or to teach his grandkids what to do or answer any questions anyone asked.
After his retirement he liked to keep busy, so he did what he loved. He went to the farm and helped Clint with whatever he was doing that day. Occasionally he would just come out and fish with the family and tell stories.
Elvin passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years Cathy; son Eric (Virginia), daughter Audrey (Clint) Whittington; grandchildren Trevor Shelley, Connor Swank, Korbin (fiancé Bianca Beamgard) Swank, Alexandrea (fiancé Brice Phelps), Zoey Shelley, Zachary Swank; extended grandkids Hayley, Hope, and Harper Whittington; siblings Lyle, Jr (Mary), Leonard (Charlotte), Lila (John) Stewart, Rose (John) Campbell, Frances (Roland) Jackson; aunt Margaret Swank; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents Lyle and Georgine, in-laws Max and Martha Buck, brother in-law Danny Stewart, niece Tami Case, and great niece Madalynn Stewart. A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
