Cynthia Luanne Howes passed away peacefully on Monday, October 2, 2023, following a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving children, friends and little dog, Daisy. 

 

Cindy was born February 3, 1955, in Plymouth, Illinois, the daughter of Robert F. Swisegood and Helen J. (Campbell) Swisegood. Survivors include her children: Son Ryan (Grace) Howes, daughter Erin (Nathanael) Slosson, and son Nathan Haislip; her siblings Steve (Colette) Swisegood, Melinda (Mychael Cervantes) Hopper, Laurie (Greg) Wery, James Swisegood, and Joseph Swisegood; grandchildren Liam, Luke and Lily Slosson, Aunt Pauline Reid, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by her companion Kirby McCall. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and brothers-in-law Cameron Wagaman and Jim Hopper.

 

Cindy was raised in Hamilton, Illinois. She attended Western Illinois University and worked at Dadant & Sons. She then had a lengthy career at Maurices followed by working at a local doctor’s office until her retirement.

 

Cindy loved music; particularly The Beatles (Paul was her favorite), Bob Dylan, and (more recently) Lynyrd Skynyrd, with a particular interest in the band’s local connection via former Keokuk resident Steve Gaines. She loved coffee and several Little Debbie confections, especially the Nutty Buddy. She had an incredible knack for making crafts: wheat weaving, wreaths, and jewelry made, in part, from baked rose petals (which she had chopped up with a coffee grinder that her son gave her because she loved coffee, in classic Cindy style). She was an avid reader and erudite about many subjects. She loved fashion. She had an interest and appreciation for local history and enjoyed our beautiful world and all of nature. She loved gardening, growing plants and flowers, and taking care of her little home in Hamilton. She could be a little stubborn and contrarian, which could be funny and exasperating, in roughly equal measure. Through her years, she enjoyed taking care of kittens and cats, parakeets and love birds and other little animals. Most importantly she loved having and raising her three children. She was then blessed with her precious grandchildren. Cindy lived in Hamilton and Warsaw all her life. She led a modest, quiet life and was satisfied with the simple things.

 

Cindy will be greatly missed by her children, family, and friends.

 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, October 9, 2023, at Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton.  Family will meet friends from 9:00 AM until time of services at 11:00 at the funeral home.  Printy Funeral Home of Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.