Kenneth Oran Swaim, 86, of Drakesville, Iowa passed away on March 28, 2025 at the Bloomfield Care Center. He was born on September 5, 1938 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Jacob Oran and Clara Lorene Croft Swaim. Kenneth graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1955. He married Jo Ann Daugherty on August 18, 1955 in Lancaster, Missouri.
Kenneth was a farmer and sheep shearer. He sheared sheep all over the United States and won many competitions – he was especially proud to be a 3x Iowa State Fair Champion. He was a member of the Davis County Sheep Producers. Kenneth enjoyed coyote and coon hunting as well as playing volleyball, baseball, and softball in his younger days. He was also a very good hand-picker while fishing. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Swaim; two sons, John Swaim, Jeff (Debbie) Swaim both of Drakesville; two daughters, Becky (Dave) Hopkins, Betsy (Jay) Bassett both of Bloomfield; eight grandchildren, Hallie (Dean) Bragg, Hannah (Tucker) Schubert, Jessie (Mike) Masteller, Cole (Devia) Swaim, Katy (Jay) Peers, Spencer (Moriah) Bassett, Dusti (Brian) Bogert, J.T. (Ashley) Hopkins; 15 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Sheilia (Ralph) Hopkins of Bloomfield.
He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Pat Swaim, Danny O’Brien, and Connie King.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Bill Eakins officiating. Burial will be at the Drakesville Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday with the family present to greet friends from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. A memorial has been established to Hospice Serving Wapello and Davis Counties.
