Esther E. “Billie” Swihart, 95, of Rochester was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 9:43 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2019, at her home.

On Oct. 21, 1923, Billie E. McCorkle was born in Carthage. She was a cherished daughter of  Lonzo and Jessie Hart McCorkle. Growing up as the youngest of the six McCorkle children she shared her childhood with three sisters and two brothers. In 1941  Billie graduated from Carthage High School.

In Rochester, Billie married the love of her life, George D. Swihart on Sept. 17, 1979. They have shared nearly 40 years of life’s adventures. Their blended family included four daughters and three sons. Over the years the family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of three more generations.

Billie was proud of her Irish heritage and  she loved to party.  She was an American patriot who loved her country and was proud to fly our flag. She was a member of the LeRoy Shelton Post American Legion No. 36 Women’s Auxiliary. Although she never rode, Billie was a  horse fancier. She was endeared to Emmie, a bay colored breeding stock paint and Justin the quarter-horse.  Many times when she visited Jimmie she would take carrots to feed the horses.

With an appetite for adventure,  Billie and George toured around the United State with their 36-foot fifth-wheel.  Their favorite destinations were Indiana’s Brown County State Park, Houston, Texas and many locales around Michigan.

Paramount in Grandma Billie’s life was her legacy of five generations. She loved when her family visited and looked forward to making many memories during  special family celebrations and the holidays.

Left to cherish  Billie’s memory are her husband George; a daughter, Dixie Frenoy and husband Louis of Pikeville, Ky.; stepdaughter, Sue Click and husband Marty of Peru; two sons: Rex Shepherd and companion Dawn Harr of  Leesburg, Jimmie Johnson and wife Jean of Kewanna; a stepson, Ron Swihart of Mexico; 13 grandchildren: Diana Bowen, Richard Lee Fogelsanger Jr., Deb Fogelsanger, Nichole Fogelsanger Waldron, Michelle Shepherd Brandenburg, Melissa Shepherd Jimenez, Melinda Shepherd, Zachary L. Johnson, Felcia Frenoy, Jimmy Bowen, Tonya Bowen, Gerri Click, Breanne Cole; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Billie in death are her parents; two daughters: Vicki Fogelsanger and Cathy Bowen; five siblings: Helen Thomas, Viola Brock, Wilbur McCorkle, Earl “Squirrely” McCorkle, Dorothy McCorkle, and Howard “Skinny” McCorkle.

A celebration of the life of Billie Swihart will be at noon Wednesday, May 1, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18^th St., Rochester. Chaplain Todd Wilson will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Legion Aux No. 36, (% Cassie Cowles),  PO Box 703, Rochester, IN 46975 or to Kindred Hospice, 1476 W. 18^th St., Rochester, IN 46975