Nancy L Sweazy Raudman

Nancy L. Russ Sweazy Raudman, 87, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2018, at IU Arnett Health, in Lafayette, Indiana.  

She was the daughter of Albert H. Russ and Vaneta W. Russ, of Elkhart.  She had one brother, Robert William Russ, who preceded her in death.  She had three children, Keven Sweazy Hewitt (David), of Lafayette, James David Sweazy (Debbie), of Syracuse, IN, and Lisa Sunday, of Elkhart.  She had four grandchildren, Jackson Gipson (Bre), of Lafayette, Jessica Calvert, of Indianapolis, Derek Sweazy (Jane), of Petaluma, CA, and Scot Sweazy, of San Francisco, CA.  She had one granddaughter, Gwinevere Gipson, of Lafayette.

Nancy attended Concord Schools and spent most of her life in Elkhart.  She was an excellent student and played the clarinet, achieving 1st chair in her senior year.  The girlfriends she had in high school remained her dearest friends until her death.  They formed a pinochle club 65 years ago, and it still continues.  As her health declined and she had to move to Lafayette, leaving her friends was the hardest part.

While a sophomore in high school, the Sweazy family moved to Elkhart.  They had five children, Bobby, Keith, Walter, Tom, and Becky.  Walter James caught her eye, and they were married on July 6, 1951.  They raised three children and divorced in 1978.  Walter preceded her in death on October 4, 1997.

Her second marriage was to Richard Grey Raudman, who preceded her in death on November 25, 2005.  Upon marrying Grey, she gained a step-daughter, Rene Wilbur (Ed).  Rene has three children, Jason Hamm (Kelly), Jamie Baumcratz, and Jennifer Smith, who preceded her in death.  She has six grandchildren, Cameron, Jacob and Ian Hamm, Emma Baumcratz, Alexis Smith, and Hannah Wade, step-children Derek, Clinten and Bethany Wilbur.

Due to Grey's job, they lived in several areas of the country - Dayton, OH, Laconia, NH, Spindale, NC, Rutherfordton, NC - eventually moving back to Elkhart in 1985.  Her old friends were there to welcome her and Grey back, and they spent many years playing cards, traveling to Florida and many places in Michigan, spending time at Rich and Barb Watkins' cottage, and laughing.  She loved the experiences they shared and had wonderful memories of those years.

She lived in Elkhart until 2014, when she moved to Lafayette.  She lived in Rosewalk Commoms Assisted Living Facility, where she was given wonderful care, and was beloved by the staff and residents.  

Her beautiful smile would light up a room, and she will be greatly missed.  We will miss her cooking, especially the pies, and her generous, caring spirit.  She loved to play cards, crochet, and had an unrelenting sweet tooth.  

Rest in Peace, Nancy Lou.  We hope you are enjoying your new adventures!

Visitation for Nancy Lou will be held Friday, March 16th from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held immediately following the visitation.  The Rev. Keith McFarren will officiate and private family burial will be in Constantine Cemetery in Constantine, MI.

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