FORSYTH — James L. “Jim” Swinger, 89, of Forsyth, passed away on February 16, 2022, in his home of over 50 years surrounded by his family.

Jim was born on December 23, 1932, to Oscar L. and Hazel E. (Phelps) Swinger, in Morrisonville, Ill. He graduated from Morrisonville High School, in 1950, and served in the U.S. Navy from March 1952 until February 1956.

During the Korean war he literally went around the world with Company 145 on the U.S.S. Tarawa. He served as an Electronic Technician, fixing communications gear. He was also a member of the Navy Brigade Drill Team.

In December 1958, he graduated from DeVry Technical Institute, in Chicago. He was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Company from 1959 until he retired, in 1992.

He married Betty Ruth Tucker, in 1962, in Oreana. She passed away on October 19, 2009. He was also preceded in death by his parents and sister V. Jean Hocking.

He is survived by his son Lee Swinger of Springfield; his daughters Nola (Lyndon) Dittus and Becky (Brad) Barnes; and five grandchildren Riley, Emily, and Abby Dittus and Matthew and Andrew Barnes, all of Heyworth.

Services will be conducted at noon on Monday, February 21, 2022, at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton.  Burial with military honors will follow at Friends Creek Cemetery, Argenta.  Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-noon on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to Hammitt Junior-Senior High School, the Haven Classroom Normal, or Folds of Honor.

Jim was known for his ability to fix anything and willingness to do it for nothing in return. He helped many of his neighbors, friends and family members with home improvement projects, plumbing, electrical wiring, and large/small repairs. He had a love of all animals big and small and was always on the go.

He also enjoyed vacationing with his family including trips to Hawaii, Alaska, New York, and Washington D.C. with his wife in their retirement; attending Illinois State University basketball games; gathering weekly with Illinois Bell friends for coffee; serving others through the Telephone Pioneers of America; attending meetings and activities of the Macon County Farm Bureau Prime Timers; making daily trips to Menards; performing endless tinkering; spending time with his beloved dachshund CoCo.

Jim also played pinochle in a monthly card club consisting of his wife’s classmates, twice a month with the Jolly Jokers at the Friends Creek Community center in Argenta, and often with this family.

He spent the last few years going on annual vacations with his kids and grandkids and visiting with them several times a week.

He was loved by his family and friends and will be missed by them all. Honor Jim by serving your neighbor with the talents God has given you while expecting nothing in return.

Online condolences may be made at www.calvertmemorial.com