Mary Jane Swingle, 82, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2024. He was born on November 6, 1941, in Higginsville, Missouri, to Elma Stockman (Davis) and William DH Stockman.

Judy, as everyone who knew her called her, was a kind and loving wife, mother, daughter and friend to many. She graduated from Higginsville High School in 1959 and married Jerrel Swingle, creator of Harold the Husker, in Lafayette County in 1961. Judy moved to Saint Louis with her husband in 1963 and spent most of her professional career working at First Bank. Judy moved to The Villages, Florida in 2019 after raising her family and the passing of her husband. He soon made many friends who loved his warmth and intelligence.

Judy had a great sense of adventure and enjoyed traveling, especially to Alaska, Ireland, and New Hampshire. His cheerful spirit was contagious; He was always ready to play Mexican Train with his friends, ride a jet ski for the first time in his eighties, or take his grandchildren on a trip to the zoo. He had a sentimental heart, especially towards pets and animals. This became abundantly clear when, after promising her husband that she and her son would visit the neighbors to look at their new litter of kittens, he returned with a small calico and a hastily prepared story about why his family should hide it. . Patches, as this cat was named, was Judy’s constant companion for 21 years and was part of the much-loved pets she adopted.

His deep faith was an inspiration to friends and family, and he was a fixture at Dardenne Presbyterian Church in O’Fallon, Missouri, and North Lake Presbyterian Church in Lady Lake, Florida.

He is survived by his brother Robert Stockman of Higginsville, his son Christopher and his wife Katherine of Saint Louis, Missouri, and grandchildren Emma Swingle and Noah Swingle.

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Jerrel Swingle, her brother, Bill Stockman, and her sister, Linda Stockman. He leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews and friends who loved him.

A memorial service will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, at North Lake Presbyterian Church in Lady Lake, Florida.