Nada Jean Sweely

Nada Jean Sweely, 94, of Lanark, Illinois, passed away on January 10, 2025 at Liberty Village Manor Court in Freeport, Illinois. She grew up in the country near Lanark, one of nine siblings, and fondly remembered sewing, making her own patterns for dresses out of flour sacks during the younger years of her life.

Nada was born on July 18, 1930 in La Moille, Illinois to Sherman and Abby (Holcomb) Bonnell. She attended Lanark schools, leaving school at the age of 16 and later working to earn her GED at the age of 60.

On October 7, 1949, Nada married Oscar Sweely in Rock Falls, Illinois. They were made for each other and worked well together as a team. Nada and Oscar had two children, Tim and Virginia “Gina,” and celebrated 55 years of marriage until Oscar’s passing in 2005.

Nada was a beloved homemaker who cherished her large family. She had a green thumb and loved tending to her vegetable garden, canning the bounty, and selling her goods at the local farmer’s market. Nada also enjoyed crocheting, reading, and serving as the church librarian at Shannon Baptist Church. In her younger years, she worked as an assembler at Micro Switch in Freeport.

Nada is survived by her son, Tim (Barbara) Sweely of Elizabeth; her daughter, Virginia "Gina" Zink of Lanark; five grandchildren: Troy Dyson, Erik (Kimberly) Zink, Laurissa Zink, Emily Sweely, and Aaron Sweely; seven great-grandchildren, Ryan Brashaw, Jonathon Unger, Brandi Harksen, Tommy Dyson, Alex Zink, Avah Zink and Vivienne Sweely-Leveque; four great-great-grandchildren, Hayden, Autumn, Bentley and Ethan; a sister, Myrna Kennedy of La Grange, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar; her parents; and three brothers, Raymond, Ronald and Roger; and four sisters, Grace Cantwell, Dorothy Schultz, Eleanor Croffoot and Hazel Raab.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Lanark. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 18, 2025, also at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Lanark Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made for the Lanark Fire Department. Friends and family who wish to watch the livestream may do so at https://www.facebook.com/groups/9002850193144350 .