COMPTON – Elaine M. Swope, 92, of rural Compton, passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2023, at Allure of Mendota.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of services.

Elaine was born on June 20, 1931, in Mendota, the daughter of Frank and Margaret (Foulk) Kidd.

She is survived by a brother, Elwood (JoAnn) Kidd of Earlville; two daughters, Margo Ackland of Mt. Morris and Wendy Wenzel of Knoxville; six grandchildren, Ginger (Ryan) O’Rourke of Oregon, Ill., Melanie (Marty) Hey of Hoffman Estates, Brian Ackland of Schaumburg, Matt (April) Wenzel of Washington, Paul Wenzel of  Peoria and Stacy Wenzel of Bloomington; and eight great grandchildren, Grey O’Rourke, Martin Hey III, Tristan Hey, Taylor Ackland, Blake Ackland, Jordan Ackland, Savannah Wenzel and Kaden Wenzel.

She is predeceased by her parents, husband, Elroy W Swope in 2020, infant son Curtis and both sons-in-law, Bernard Ackland and John Wenzel.

Elaine began school in rural Triumph before her family moved to a farm outside of PawPaw, where she graduated high school in the class of 1949. She worked as a bookkeeper for Alexander Lumber Company in Compton, the grain elevator in Meridan and many years at the Mendota Lutheran Home. She also served as the secretary for the Compton PTA, was a Junior Girl Scout Leader, taught Sunday School and sewed quilts with the Immanuel Lutheran Church Ladies.

It was her request to have a combination celebration of life for both Elaine and Elroy Swope at the Mendota Elks Lodge immediately following the interment.

Memorials may be directed to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or any children’s charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.