Frankie Dee (Digman) Swaney

Mrs. Frankie Dee Swaney passed away on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at the age of 85. She had been in declining health and struggling with Alzheimer’s in recent years. Frankie Dee Digman, the daughter of Granville Floyd Digman and Ethyl Jesse McDaniel, was born at the Digman family farm at Laurel Creek in Barbour County, West Virginia on December 5, 1933, the 7th of 16 children. She was a 1952 graduate of Philippi High School. She and her first husband, Paul Eugene Baughman, also of Philippi, moved to Ohio after marrying, then back to Philippi in 1959, then ultimately settled in Kent, Ohio in 1963. Though Paul passed away in 1965, Frankie lived in the Kent area for the rest of her long life. She worked at Highway Products, at the American Legion, and later worked at Kent State University, from which she retired. Frankie married Raymond Swaney in 1972, and they were married for 42 remarkable years, until Ray passed away in 2014. Both were very active with the American Legion Post 496 in Kent, Ohio. Frankie served as President of the Auxiliary and supported the Legion through its banqueting and community programs. She also belonged to the Summit County 8 & 40 Salon and was a volunteer at the County Clothing Center in Ravenna.

Most importantly, Frankie leaves a legacy of adoration and love for her family. She is survived by several children: Paula Jean (Baughman) Miller and her husband Jay of Towson, Maryland; Cynthia Carol (Baughman) Underwood and her husband William of Hartville; Annette Jo (Baughman) Errera of Kent; Genevieve Rose (Baughman) Trusso of Ravenna; Stephanie Dawn (Baughman) Chapman of Rootstown; Gerald Leland Baughman of Ravenna; daughter-in-law, Denise Marie (Caudill) Baughman of Kent, and stepsons David Joseph Swaney and his wife Janet of Kent and Michael Jay Swaney and his wife Diane of Randolph. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and by siblings Deanna Lou (Digman) Hunt of Akron and Milton Duane Digman of Waukeegan, Illinois as well as uncountable nieces,  nephews, cousins, and friends, many in the Kent area as well as in West Virginia.

Besides her parents, Frankie was preceded in death by three husbands; Paul Eugene Baughman, Gerald Roger Kilbourne, and Raymond Edward Swaney; one son Michael Harold “Biffle” Baughman; one son-in-law, Patrick James Errera; two step-sons, Raymond Edward and Tracy Allen Swaney; and 13 brothers and sisters: Rosalee, Floyd, Betty, Joan, Tom, Jean, Keith, John, Sherwood “Butch”, Claudette, Ronald, Michael, and Brenda.

Join the family during calling hours at Bissler’s Funeral Home in Kent on Sunday, December 1 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM and/or at the “Celebration of Life” immediately after the calling hours at the American Legion Post 496, Underwood Hall, 1945 Mogadore Road, Kent, hosted by the family. All family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember her. A private burial will take place at Veterans Cemetery in Rittman where her ashes will be laid to rest next to Raymond Swaney. Frankie’s ashes will also be laid to rest in the Marsh Cemetery, Tacy, West Virginia beside her first husband, Paul Eugene Baughman at a later date. All who knew and loved our strong and incredible mother are invited to attend. If you wish to make a donation in Frankie’s memory, please contribute to one of the two places she loved to volunteer her time, the VA Clinic in Ravenna or The County Clothing Center in Ravenna. Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.

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