By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN – Seventy-five years does not seem all that long in the course of world history.
The recorded history of one small, family-owned business, however, tells the story of far more than its own operation. It tells of a time when there was no Internet, no jumbo jets, no television in every home, because many still did not have electricity.
Three generations of the Swem family have served their community from the Swem Funeral Home. They have been a Buchanan staple for 75 years.
"Dad passed away in 1975. Mother died in 1992. They were a team from 1932, until somewhere around 1968. And the Swems just keep on coming," Dick Swem, director of the Buchanan institution, said.
Swem was introducing his daughter-in-law, Deanna, director of family services, at the PERK breakfast for the Buchanan Chamber of Commerce, Friday morning. He noted that son Rob and Deanna have three children ensuring future generations to carry on the family business, should they want.
Swem, moved to its current 301 West Front St. location Dec. 12, 1935, after originally opening at 202 S. Portage Road, now Redbud Trail.
The Buchanan home is estimated to have been built about 1850 by Dr. G.W. Brown, who had his offices there. In a October 1958 local news story, the business celebrated the third renovation's grand opening.
"I am very pleased with the increased facilities … we give great consideration to the needs of families, who turn to us for help in times of sorrow and loss," Lowell O. Swem, founder of the business, said at that time.
Even then, society had come a long, long way from the time L.O. Swem first opened his business. The display Friday at the Buchanan Senior Citizen Center told its story.
Lush red velvet drapery formed the backdrop, just as the portable unit had when viewings for the deceased were held at home. A small lamp with its tasseled velvet shade was likewise taken to provide light via a special adapter, to those homes that did not yet have electricity.
Swem introduced Robert Bachman, who worked for Lowell Swem more than 40 years ago, when he was but a junior in high school. He recalled the old cars pictured in the display.
"I remember Dick's Dad driving the 1935 Buick red and white ambulance. It was a 'convertible' serving as the funeral car too. The inside was upholstered in red velvet too. One time we were called to pick up woman from Chicago's Cook County Hospital to take to southern Illinois. The car had synthetic wartime tires and if they built up too much pressure on the road, they would blow," Bachman said.
Blow they did. Bachman described the downgrade drive over which he had no control.
"There was an old fellow with a couple of jackasses there in the road. We missed him but it was close," he said.
As he and the founder of the business struggled to retrieve the spare from a drawer beneath a metal flap, Bachman recalled losing grip on the flap that came down on the bridge of Swem's father's nose. Despite the mishap, Bachman continued to work for Swem until, his previously trained and certified employee, came home from serving in the war.
Swem recalled his mother Meryle paying attention to the details of keeping the business clean. He remembered the lemon oil, dusting paper and Spic and Span.
Prior to showing the gathering a video reflecting the family's business over its 75-year history, Swem made a special announcement.
"Back 25 years ago, to celebrate our 50th anniversary, we held a concert at Faith United Methodist Church. We took a free will offering and gave the proceeds to help the just starting out Redbud Area Ministry.
"On June 24, we will be holding another concert at Faith United, and will have the history of Swem's available for the public," Swem said.
At that concert 25 years ago, the performer was gospel singer Merrill Womack. This year's celebration Sunday, June 24, at 3:30 p.m., will feature Judith Gault and Luann Gardner. Gardner said the concert would be lighthearted, featuring the music of Gershwin, Irving Berlin and television themes from the past among other pieces.