E. Eleanor "Ellie" Swanson (nee McKnight), age 77, a resident of Windsor Park Manor in Carol Stream, died on Friday, December 17, at Windsor's Fairfax Dementia Facility, after suffering for many years with Alzheimer's Disease. A memorial service will be held at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Hawthorne and Kenilworth in Glen Ellyn, at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 22, followed by a reception. Interment will be held on Thursday, December 23, at 11:00 A.M. at Scandinavian Cemetery in Rockford.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri to William and Eda McKnight, Ellie was a 1949 graduate of Wheaton College, primarily a homemaker, but taught Physical Education for several years at elementary through college levels. She was known as a devoted Bible teacher in her residence communities of Rockford, Deerfield and Oak Park; was an active volunteer at Circle Urban Ministries and Lawndale Community Center on Chicago's Westside; and spent a year helping inaugurate a mission in a squatter area of Metro Manila, Philippines. She had been an active member of River Forest Presbyterian, Glen Ellyn Covenant and Rockford Evangelical Free Churches.

Survivors include her husband of 54 years, John C. "Jack" Swanson (retired Superintendent of Oak Park/River Forest High School District); a brother, Stanley McKnight of Seattle; three children, Robert (Laurie) of Oak Park, Kathryn (Steve) Soneson of Winfield and Daniel (Angelica) of Mexico; and six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, William McKnight, and a sister, Dorothy Kraft.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Flr #17, Chicago, IL 60601; or to Bible Study Fellowship, 19001 Huebner Road, San Antonio, TX 78258.