Gilbert Swoboda

CAIRO, Ill. -- Gilbert R. Swoboda Jr., 98, affectionately known as "Rags" by his family and friends, of Cairo passed away Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

Born June 1, 1920, Rags lived his entire life on 18th Street in Cairo. He was the son of Gilbert and Alice Swoboda, and was self-employed in his family business, Gilbert R. Swoboda and Co. Inc., until his retirement.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Sept. 22, 1941, and served in the infantry and as a specialty heavy machine gunner. He achieved the rank of staff sergeant. Rags fought in the Aleutian Islands, Eastern Mandates, South Philippines and the Ryukus Islands (Okinawa). He was awarded four Bronze Stars, as well as the Good Conduct Medal. He was wounded in the head in a battle at Leyte and was awarded the Purple Heart on Feb. 20, 1945. He also earned the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the American Defense Service Ribbon, as well as four overseas bars. He was released from service to his country Sept. 18, 1945, to come home to his family business.

Rags also followed in his father's footsteps as a director for First American State Bank, where he served in that capacity for 40 years. In 2017, he was honored by the Cairo Elks Club as the longest living member of that organization with a membership of 72 years. He was also a member of the VFW of Mounds, Illinois.

Surviving Rags in death are one daughter, Nancy (Edward) Doss of Mounds; three grandchildren, Burton (Angie) Doss of Madison, Mississippi, and Stephen R. Swoboda and Gregory R. Swoboda of Cape Girardeau; and two great-grandchildren, Jackson Moran Doss and Harper Maryn Doss of Madison. He is also survived by one nephew, Lewis F. McRoy Jr. of Marion, Illinois; two nieces, Patricia (Stan) Johnson of Indianola, Mississippi, and Laurie Johnson of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and one daughter-in-law, Linda Bucher Swoboda. Rags will also always be remembered by his dear friends, Brooks High and Tom Hoffmann.

Rags was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters, Gussella Walston, Alice Johnson and Marie McRoy. Also preceding him in death were his wife of many years, Dimples Patterson Swoboda; as well as his son, Gilbert R. "Gibby" Swoboda III.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, with an Elk's service at 12:45 p.m., at Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center in Cairo.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Larry Potts officiating. Interment will follow at Spencer Heights Cemetery at Mounds, with military honors by area veterans and the Illinois National Guard.

Memorials may be made to the church or Cairo Public Library.

To view the full obituary or leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.

Crain Funeral Home of Cairo is in charge of arrangements.