Lavona Jean "Bonnie" Szwed

Mrs. Lavona Jean “Bonnie” Szwed, 86, passed away Saturday, August 11, 2018, while being treated for acute pancreatitis and kidney failure, at Hardin Memorial Hospital, Elizabethtown, KY. Bonnie was surrounded by her loving family at the time of her death. She was born November 24, 1931 along with her twin sister, Manona Dean Barger Chism to Robert L. and Mattie Barger in Breckinridge County, KY. Shortly after her birth, Lavona was given the name “Bonnie” by her twin sister. Even today, Lavona remains known as “Bonnie” to her family and friends, and, “Mama Jean” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bonnie led a wonderful and fulfilling life. Besides being a loving and nurturing mother of nine children, she worked at the US Army Ammunition Plant during the Vietnam War. For many years, Bonnie was employed at the US Army Post Exchange store, Ft. Knox, KY. She retired from the Meade County Board of Education as a school bus driver.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; her twin sister; her two husbands, James William “J.W.” Argabright and Bennie Szwed; her brothers, J.T., Kenny, and Lester Barger; and her best friend, Herb Williams.

She is survived by five daughters, Jettie (Dwayne), Ekron, KY, Nancy (Mike), Brandenburg, KY, Kathy (Doug), Angie (Rick), Louisville, KY, and Madonna (Robbie), Guston, KY; four sons, Frank (Margaret), Birmingham, AL, Paul (Rena), Kelly (Donna), and Bruce (Angie), Brandenburg, KY; 20 Grandchildren, 23 Great grandchildren (with one on the way) and three Great-Great Grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in memory of Bonnie on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 11:00 AM from St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Brandenburg, KY with burial to follow in St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be at Hager Funeral Home from 12:00 Noon until 8:00 PM on Monday, and in the St. John Narthex from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass on Tuesday.

A special thanks to the staff of All About Home, Brandenburg, KY for their years of service to Bonnie.

Memorial donations for the memory of Bonnie may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, Seventh Floor, New York, NY 10001.

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