Joyce (Hardin) Swafford

Joyce Eileen Swafford, 83, of Mediapolis, died Friday, November 18, 2022 at Azria Health Prairie Ridge in Mediapolis. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022 at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon at the funeral home. Inurnment will be held at Edwards Cemetery in Oakville. Memorials have been established for the Oakville United Methodist Church or the Mediapolis Public Library.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Joyce was born November 29, 1938 in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Fredrick C. and Leona Louise (Lange) Hardin. She graduated from Huron High School in 1956. Joyce married Robert Otis Swafford on September 1, 1957 in Oakville. They later divorced in 1977.

 Joyce worked at Sylvania in Burlington for eight years and for the Mediapolis News (formerly New Era) for 40 years until her health forced her retirement from full-time duties. She was still researching and writing the “News from the Past” column at age 80. She was a lifelong member of the Oakville United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was choir director for several years. She also served in various church offices and was recording secretary of the Administrative Council for 16 years.

Joyce enjoyed participating in Mediapolis Community Theater productions; was an avid reader and was never far from a pile of books to read; and she greatly enjoyed participating in the evening book discussion group at the Mediapolis Public Library. She took great joy in following her grandchildren’s sports activities and also taking photos of school sports activities for many years for the Mediapolis News. She enjoyed her photography and various cameras that she owned, and even dabbled in art classes, learning to paint. She especially loved going to family reunions and family gatherings and sharing and listening to all of the latest news and funny stories. Joyce will always be remembered for her great sense of humor and wit as well as her joyfulness, friendliness and her wonderful laugh.

Survivors include three sons: Kevin (Julie) Swafford of Sarcoxie, MO; Brian (Elissa) Swafford of Mt. Pleasant; and Mark (Jacinta) Swafford of Mediapolis; brother, Keith (Kathy) Hardin of Russell, IA; three sisters: Mary Wykert of Mediapolis, with whom she made her home for many years; Jane Minnis, and Ellen (Sonny) Dean, all of Morning Sun; nine grandchildren: Joshua, Justin (Margaret), Shea and Brennan Swafford; Bethany (Todd) Dralle, Angela (Joe) Kane and Jonathan (Lindsey) Swafford; and Rachel and James Swafford; six great-granddaughters; five great-grandsons; nieces; nephews; and many cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; and two brothers-in-law.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce (Hardin) Swafford, please visit our floral store.