Elaine M. Swope, 92, of rural Compton, daughter of Frank and Margaret (Foulk) Kidd, born June 20, 1931 in Mendota, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2023 at Allure of Mendota.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of services.

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, IL., Melanie (Marty) Hey of Hoffman Eatates, 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 son-in- laws, 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 & 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 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.