Lima – Barbara Kohls Swick, age 88, died peacefully after a short bout with cancer on February 20, 2021 surrounded by her family in her Lima home.

Burial: A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Interment will be at the Ft. Jennings Cemetery.

Arrangements: Chiles-Laman Funeral Homes, Shawnee Chapel.

Donations: Lima Memorial Foundation, 1001 Bellefontaine Ave., Lima, Ohio 45804 or Lima Central Catholic Education Foundation, 720 S. Cable Rd., Lima, Ohio 45805.

Survivors: Husband – James Swick of Lima, Three children – daughter Barbara (David) Schmiedebusch, two sons, Michael (Danette) and Timothy (Karen) Swick who all reside in Lima. Six grandchildren, Gwen (Matthew) Ray of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Dan (Erica) Schmiedebusch of Lima; Adam (Allison) Swick of Cincinnati, Ohio; Ashley (David) Szymanski of Minnetonka, Minnesota; Alex Swick of Boston, Massachusetts; and Meredith Swick of Lima, Ohio. Four great-grandchildren – Lucy, James,& Jaxson Schmiedebusch, and Silas Swick.

Predeceased: parents – Arthur H. and Alma (Recker) Kohls of Ft. Jennings, Ohio. Four sisters – Helen Kohls, Virginia Kohls, Edna Moenter, and Irene Swick and one brother, Gordon Kohls.

Barb Swick was born in Ft. Jennings, Ohio on February 25, 1932. She grew up on the Kohls family farm. She married James A. Swick on November 16, 1957 – they were married 63 years. Barbara moved to Lima where she began her first job at the Lima News. She was a stay-at-home mom and established the Sharon Dairy King with her husband, Jim in 1977. Barb managed the Sharon Dairy King from 1977 through 1989. She volunteered at the Red Cross and St. Rita’s Hospital. She was an avid bridge and tennis player, proving quite competitive in both. She and her sister Edna were champions of the 1972 Lima City Tennis Tournament. Many family vacation memories were made in Sanibel, Florida. It was not uncommon for Barb to have a stack of library books beside her favorite chair as she was a fervent reader, partial to autobiographies. She even wrote a book for her grandchildren entitled “Monty the Monarch”. When the six grandchildren departed for college, she religiously handwrote each of them a weekly letter for all four years – 864 letters! She especially enjoyed playing cards with her family and took no shame in “winning money” from “Her little Chickadees”. When playing board games, it was a well-earned win against her as she always gave the game her all. She was the greatest supporter and BIGGEST fan of her children and grandchildren’s activities, sports, and academic achievements. When her children lost a tennis match, she invoked “the silent treatment” for 1/2 hour which was usually during the car ride home. When the family visited and walked in the front door, her usual greeting was “Hi Sugar Booger”! She always asked if you’d like a cup of tea and to stay awhile. When leaving, she always said, “Love you Honey”, kissed you, and stood at the door waving until your car pulled out of sight. She will be missed greatly by her family and friends.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.