Erma Eileen Swank, 90, of Carthage, IL, passed away at 6:44am on Sunday, January
25, 2026, at Hickory Grove Assisted Living in Carthage.
Erma was born on May 4, 1935, at the family farm near Carthage, IL. She was the
daughter of Henrich “Henry” and Mary Alice (Smith) Wachtendorf. Erma graduated from
Carthage High School in 1953. On May 4, 1958, Erma was united in marriage to Francis
Wayne Swank at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage. Erma served as a children’s
Sunday school teacher and took care of the altar candles for many years. She enjoyed
going to the women’s bible study and being a part of the Widow Women Group. Erma
worked hard being a farm wife. She spent time working for Sherrick’s Drug Store. She
then went on to work for the Hancock County Courthouse in the County Clerk’s office
where she spent 31 years before retiring in 2009. After retirement, she finished the
cemetery pond project that her and Wayne started together. Erma loved to be outside
and had an avid love for her kitty cats.
Erma is survived by her daughter-in-law, Sally Swank; her granddaughter, Heather
(Brandon McMullen) Swank; her sister, Evelyn Briley; her nieces and nephews, Becky
(David) Wright, Rachel (Rick) Clark, Marla (Mike) Gronewold, and Stephen (Kelly)
Patrick; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Swank, her son, Gary Swank, her
sister, Mary Patrick, and her brother, Richard Wachtendorf.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Trinity
Lutheran Church in Carthage with burial to follow at Moss Ridge Cemetery in Carthage.
A visitation will held from 4 – 7pm on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Printy Funeral
Home in Carthage. Memorials may be made out to the Trinity Lutheran Church, the
Carthage Township Cemetery Association, or Compassus Hospice Care. Printy Funeral
Home is handling arrangements.