Evelyn Swank Plager

, 96, of Sebring, Florida, formerly of Freeport, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 in Florida Hospital, Sebring, Florida. Evelyn was born on June 26, 1917 to Blair Byrem and Florence Bushelle Byrem in Freeport, IL. Evelyn was a graduate of Freeport High School. She was united in marriage to Gerald Lewis Swank on June 4, 1937 in Freeport, IL. Gerald Swank died on October 19, 1972. She married Morrell (Mope) Plager on December 2, 1974, and he preceded her in death on October 19, 1997. Evelyn Swank Plager worked for Rockford Business College. She was a long time member of First Lutheran Church of Freeport, and a founding member of Prince of Peace Church of Freeport. Evelyn was a member of Freeport Garden Club and the Freeport Elks Club. Evelyn loved spending time with her family, golf and travel. She is survived by her sister, Lorraine Miley of Rockford, IL; her daughters Luanne Swank (Jim) Wright of Belvidere, IL and Mary Lou Swank (Bob) Newton of Avon Park, FL; her daughter in law Susan Swank of Freeport, IL; stepdaughter Bonnie Plager (Bill) Mueller of Littleton, CO; grandchildren, Mark (Mary Jo) Wright, Todd (Holly) Wright, Laurie (Al) Lamb, Michael (Sherry) Mertes, Angela (Jon) Spachman, Mindy (Fletcher) Martin, Tim (Heidi) Mueller, Brian Mueller, Kevin (Heidi) Mueller, and Traci (David) Crowell, and 28 great-grandchildren. Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, husbands Gerald Swank and Mope Plager, daughter Sharon Lou Swank, son David Gerald Swank, sisters Thelma Keith and Leona Dinges, brothers Blair Byrem and George Byrem. A celebration of Evelyn's life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 10, 2014 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2700 W. Stephenson Street in Freeport, IL. Pastor Mark Luepke will officiate. Interment will be at White Oak Cemetery in Forreston, IL. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7PM on Thursday evening, January 9, 2014 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home - Avon Park www.stephensonnelsonfh.com