Lyle R. Sword

Lyle Raymond Sword, 88, of Ashton, passed away on January 6, 2026 in Canton, GA.

Lyle Raymond Sword was born in Nachusa, Illinois to Harold & Alice (Haenitsch) Sword on September 13, 1937. He went to school in Ashton and graduated in 1956. He married his former wife, Shirley A. Lawson, mother of their children, on June 27, 1956 in Ashton.

Lyle married Shirley E Teasdale September 7, 1991 at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

He worked as a farmer and at Swift & Company in Rochelle, Illinois for 17 years. He also worked for the Village of Ashton in various roles for 28 years. He served on the boards of the Ashton Fire Dept, AshtonCemetery and St John’s Lutheran Church. He was also a volunteer driver for the VA hospital. He served in the Navy aboard the USS Huse 145 during the 1950’s. Upon retiring, he was the Ashton Township Highway Commissioner and loved to go searching for Lionel Model trains.

Lyle is preceded in death by his daughter Sharon Becker (Steve), wife Shirley E Sword, parents Harold and Alice Sword, and 2 sisters Beverly Lauder and Shirley Willstead.

Lyle is survived by former wife Shirley A. Sword-Goetzke (Bill), and four children Lyle H. Sword (Paula), Lori Boden, Stan Sword (Tracy), and Steen, two sisters Donna Nass and Barbara Lawrence and three stepdaughters Deanna Hippeli, Jan Troxel and Dayna Troxel. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Noah Sword, Matthew Sword, Andrew Sword, Kevin Sword, Zachary Becker and Trey Boden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Beverage-Lyons Family Funeral Home, 601 Richardson Ave, Ashton, IL 61006.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, next day, Monday, January 12, 2026 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ashton, with the Pastor Joan Scheffler officiating. Burial will follow at Ashton Cemetery. Lunch will be served at the church. Arrangements were entrusted to Beverage-Lyons Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com