Cathy Leigh (Mayhood) Swingler (64) of Effingham

Cathy Leigh (Mayhood) Swingler, 64, of Effingham, IL passed into Eternal Life with Christ on the morning of Monday, April 26, 2021, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, where she spent the last several weeks waiting for a double lung transplant.

Even while waiting for her new lungs, Cathy continued to thank God for the many blessings upon her and her family, and she trusted in His perfect plan for her life. She spent her last days sharing the Word of God and witnessing to her doctors and nurses.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 30, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham, IL. The funeral mass will also be streamed on Youtube: Sacred Heart Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2021 at the church. Arrangements are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or her grandkids’ schools: St. Anthony High School, Sacred Heart School, or Altamont Lutheran Interparish School. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Cathy was born on June 10, 1956 in Effingham, IL, the daughter of Gene and Jeannie (Smith) Mayhood. She married Stephen “Steve” Swingler on November 23, 1973 and they excitedly began raising their three children and eight grandchildren.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was an office manager for Mayhood Properties. Throughout the years, she volunteered at her church, her kids’ and grandkids’ schools, the United Way, and many other organizations.

Cathy’s favorite titles were daughter, sister, wife, mom, aunt ‘Kaki’, grandma ‘Bella’, friend, and follower of Christ. Anyone who knew Cathy also came to know her giving spirit and generous heart. She loved to do things for others and had a way of making the room feel warm and bright.

Cathy adored her family and rarely missed the chance to cheer on her grandkids at their many school and sporting events. She was so proud to share their stories and accomplishments with anyone who would listen. She loved spending time with her entire family and knew how to celebrate big!

Cathy is already greatly missed by her loving husband, Steve; daughter Christy (Tony) Hakman, son Brian (Erin) Swingler, and daughter Carrie (Kevin) Schultz; grandchildren Cara, Nina, and Alec Hakman; Will, Luke, and Jack Swingler; and Keegan and Kennedi Schultz; parents Gene and Jeannie; siblings Steve (Nancy) Mayhood, Mark (Dianne) Mayhood, Jim Mayhood (special friend, Cinia Molina), and Lynne Ann (Robert) Nosbisch; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and amazing friends.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Edgar “Cotton” and Alice “Sally” Smith and Orville and Mildred Mayhood; father-in-law and mother-in-law Robert and Mary Swingler; nephew Jason Mayhood; and great-nephew Brett Mayhood.

The family would like to thank the community and all the family and friends for their thoughts and prayers.