MANSFIELD: Constance “Connie” Ann Swank, 81, passed away after a short illness on Sunday.
Connie was born March 8, 1943, in Mansfield to Eugene and Betty Mae (Johns) Smith.
The family moved to Cleveland for a brief time before returning to Mansfield where Connie began her education at Carpenter Elementary in Mansfield. They then moved to Touby Road and Connie was enrolled in Bellville Schools. She graduated from Bellville High School in 1961.
She married the love of her life Dwain Swank on April 27, 1963. They remained married until her death on Sunday.
Connie gave birth to her only child, Jeffrey Dwain Swank on May 11, 1965. She often joked that her experience with Jeff as a child was more than enough to convince her that one was enough.
She went with Dwain for the first nearly 20 years of their marriage as he pulled tractors throughout Ohio, but she would find her niche when Dwain was elected to the Richland County Fairboard in 1973. She quickly became a volunteer with the ladies’ auxiliary where she continued for nearly 30 years, serving as its president for many years. She was responsible for developing a volunteer schedule to staff the auxiliary’s food service program and managing their banquets during the Christmas holidays.
After her days with the fair she became involved with the Bellville Historical Society helping to staff their location during the Bellville Fair. Connie was also a strong advocate of education. She spent many years as a volunteer at Bellville Elementary School assisting young students in the area of reading working with first grade teachers Gloria Yarger and Pat Dillon. She was also a member of the Bellville Mother’s Club.
Connie excelled using the right side of her brain. She was creative. She baked wedding cakes earning extra money for the family and winning awards for her efforts. She baked cakes from many of her relatives as well as others. Connie won numerous ribbons, including many blue, at the county fair with her many entries. She also painted, in fact, one of her paintings hangs behind her daughter-in-law’s desk at Dayspring.
She was preceded in death by her parents. She was also preceded in death by sister-in-law June Swank Synder Coffman.
She is survived by her husband of almost 62 years, Dwain; her son Jeff and his wife Michelle. Connie is also survived by her sister Sharon “Sharry” Smith Gatton (Larry); brothers-in-law Donald (Shirley), Larry (Vernona), and Randy (Peggy) Swank; sisters-in-law Joann Swank Gillum and Marcia Swank (Rob) Knuckles; as well as many nieces and nephews.
The Swank family will receive friends Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm in the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home where the funeral service honoring Connie will be held Tuesday at 11 am. Pastor Andy Hupp will officiate and burial will follow in Bellville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Connie may be made to The Bellville Historical Society or the Richland County Humane Society.
Please visit snyderfuneralhomes.com to view her tribute video and leave a message of support for the Swank family.
Funeral Home: Bellville Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com