Martha June Swingley, 81

Martha June Swingley, age 81, passed away February 28, 2014, after a long battle with Alzheimers.

Martha was born to Norman H. and Martha Ellen Lawson in Columbus, OH on May 11, 1932. She married Charles D. Swingley in Munice, Ind., and in 1971 they moved to Coeur d'Alene, ID. They then moved to Cataldo, ID on the "40 acres" for 30 years, and recently moved to Hayden, ID.

Martha worked at several different jobs in Indiana, at Clare-pendar plant in Post Falls, ID, and then worked with her husband at their portable sawmill. She was a gardener, spinner, beader, and woodworker, making items to sell at craft shows from the northwest to Arizona. Martha demonstrated spinning for several years at the Cataldo Mission Skills Fair and at the Mountain Man Rendezvous.

Martha was preceded in death by her son, Charles Swingley, Jr.; parents, Martha Ellen and Norman Lawson; sister, Norma Jean Mohle; brothers: Gorman Lawson and Bernard Lawson; and grandson, Trent Buchanan.

Martha is survived by her husband of 62 years, Charles D. Swingley; son, Charles N. Swingley; daughters: Karen Patterson, Jayne Shofner, and Susan Bennett: brother, John Lawson; sisters: Madeane McFarland and Nora Frances Alley; six grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

No service will be held at her request. Our family would like to thank the staff at Hospice of North Idaho for all of their support and care.