Carol Jean Swinton

Carol Jean Coons Swinton, 80, passed away unexpectedly at her home Tuesday, November 14, 2017.

Carol was born October 18, 1937, the youngest daughter of Victor Hugo and Thelma Blondina Coons, in Conception Junction, Missouri. She graduated from Jefferson High in Conception, Missouri in 1955. Carol met her husband Wendell Allen Swinton from Nashua, Iowa in May of 1955 when he was a boarder at the railroad men’s boarding house in Conception, Missouri, which was owned by Carol’s grandmother, Hulda Greene. The couple was married on October 2, 1955 and were blessed with seven children. They started their early married life in the small town of Ravenswood, Missouri, later relocating to Dunkerton, Oelwein and then Norwalk, Iowa when Wendell was promoted to freight agent for Chicago Northwestern Railroad. In 1978, Carol and Wendell moved their family to Indianola Avenue on the south side of Des Moines, where they resided for more than 30 years.

She spent most of her life as a mother and homemaker, working part-time in the cafeteria at the Norwalk School District and John’s Grocery in Norwalk. Most recently were the years she enjoyed her position at Old Country Buffet in SE Des Moines. She was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Des Moines.

Carol is survived by her children, Donna Bachman, Bruce (Peter) Swinton, Richard (Denise) Swinton, Debbie (Biagio “Benny”) Serpico, Denise (“Rafaelle” Ralph) Serpico and Michelle (Todd) White; 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Nelly Jeanette (Robert) Coffey; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wendell Swinton; son, Randall Swinton; siblings, Betty Lou (Don) Svoboda, Joseph (Betty) Coons, Colleen (Don) Sprague and Richard (Joy) Coons.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Norwalk Christian Church, 701 Main Street in Norwalk followed by burial at Norwalk Cemetery. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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