Leonard Swims

PORTAGEVILLE - Leonard E. Swims, 79, died April 24, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Born Jan. 19, 1924, in New Madrid County, son of the late Dewey N. and Lizzie Butts Swims, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and member of the American Legion.

On Jan. 7, 1946, in Portageville, he married Gwen Fox who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: three sons, Don Swims of Portageville, Hank Swims of Wardell and Daryl Swims of New Madrid; two daughters, Regenia Gurganus of Park Forest, Ill., and Debbie Wilson of Portageville; one brother, Dewey Swims Jr. of Jackson, Tenn.; and 10 grandchildren, one stepgrandchild and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by one brother, Carl Swims; one half brother, Lawrence Halter; and an infant sister, Maggie Swims.

Visitation begins at 6 p.m. today at DeLisle Funeral Home, where services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Gary Henson, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Portageville Cemetery.