Joan Beasley (Miller) Swick, age 81, of Casey, IL went home to be with her Savior and Lord at 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at the home of her daughter in Collinsville, OK. She was born October 28, 1935 in Clark County, IL, the daughter of Winfield Homer Miller and Wilma Erlene (Beasley) Miller. On July 3, 1960, she married James Arden Swick in Casey, IL. He passed away on June 25, 1996.

Survivors include her daughters, Carolyn Swick of Collinsville, OK and Barbara (Chuck) Davidson of Robinson, IL; son, Michael Swick of Robinson, IL; brother, Ronald (Linda) Miller of Findlay, OH; sister, Shirley (Dale) Huisinga of Casey, IL; grandchildren, Nicole Davidson of Collinsville, OK; Jason Swick of Oakland, IL; Jaime Swick of Springfield, GA; and Kelsey Davidson of Oblong, IL; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and brother, Gary Miller.

Joan was a 1954 graduate of Casey High School. She completed her Bachelors in 1958 and her Master’s in 1964, both from Indiana State University. She was employed with the Casey School District for over 30 years as their speech therapist. Joan was a faithful and active member of the Casey First Baptist Church and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Retired Teachers Association and a lifetime member of IEA and NEA.

Joan was passionate about serving her Lord and Savior. In addition to serving as a teacher in the Casey schools, missions and missionaries were an important part of her life. After her husband’s death, Joan spent two summers in China working in two different Universities. Her role at the university was to work with Chinese English teachers to improve their speaking skills. Joan thoroughly enjoyed her time in China where teachers are revered. Joan was able to spend time with her students outside of the classroom where they shared their food, traditions and culture. Joan was able to share many things about herself, her family, faith and American traditions during her many outings with her students. A few years later, a short-term trip to Kazakhstan was an adventure into the unknown into a former Soviet nation. Joan went as part of a small team supporting a local believer’s ministry in an effort to share the love of Christ to orphans. In this situation, a local bakery was in the process of being built to support the orphanage financially. Joan loved the Lord with her heart, mind and soul and these travels reinforced that love.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Markwell Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Marsh officiating. Burial will follow in the Casey Cumberland Cemetery, Casey, IL. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at Markwell Funeral Home, 200 N. Central Ave., Casey, IL.

Memorial Donations may be made to:
Choice Pregnancy Center and Health - http://choices4pregnancy.com/
Illinois Baptist Children’s Home and Services - http://www.bchfs.com/
Word Power Radio - http://www.wordpower.us/
Casey First Baptist Church - http://caseyfbc.com/

To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.

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