BLOOMINGTON — Delmar Lee "Del" Swearingen, 83, of McKinney, Texas, passed away at 11:13 a.m. Wednesday (Nov. 4, 2015) at Villagio Memory Care, McKinney, Texas, due to Alzheimer's. He was born Nov. 20, 1931, in Bloomington, son of John Harold Swearingen and Effie Reed Swearingen.
Del attended Bloomington and McLean schools as well as earning both bachelor's (1953) and master's (1956) degrees from Illinois State Normal University. He coached at Delavan and Bloomington high schools. He was a principal at Danvers and Olympia high schools, as well as Towanda and Glenn elementary schools, retiring in 1987.
Del was honored in the Illinois State Redbird Athletic Hall of Fame, the Olympia High School Activities Hall of Fame, and the Bloomington-Normal Officials Association Hall of Fame. He managed the State Farm Insurance Recreation Park for 40 years, retiring in 1994.
He served his country proudly in the U.S. Army, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he was assigned to the Special Services Athletic Team, excelling in shot put, discus, hammer throw, javelin and relays. He was recognized by receiving numerous All Army and 5th Army awards.
Del is survived by his wife, Olive Huffman Swearingen, and sister, Ann Garner, Prescott, Ariz. He was a beloved father to Kurt (Polly) Swearingen, Normal; Timothy (Cheryl) Swearingen, McKinney, Texas; Kathryn (Kim) Swearingen Johnson, Bloomington; Kim (Brad) Bielfeldt McPeak, McKinney, Texas; Lisa (T.H.) Bielfeldt Haltom, McKinney, Texas; David (Evie) Bielfeldt, Plano, Texas; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He will be missed by his loyal dog, Justice.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Sue Campton; sister, Laura Lou Fabert; and brother, Harold Reed Swearingen.
His service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, TX 75071, with the Rev. Dr. Patrick McCoy presiding. Memorials may be made to North Collin County Habitat for Humanity, 2060 Couch Drive, McKinney, TX 75069, Trinity Presbyterian Church, or Illinois State University Foundation in care of the Weisbecker Scholarship Fund, PO Box 8000, Normal, IL 61761.
A celebration of life service will be at 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at the First Presbyterian Church, 2000 E. College Ave., Normal, Ill.
