Rachel Elizabeth Neuswanger

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Shankar Goudar of Southlake, TX; granddaughter Shivali (Brian) Swaney of Charlotte, NC; grandson Arian Goudar of Southlake, TX; and great-grandchildren Hart and Cole Swaney. Rachel also leaves behind her sister, Christine (Lyn) Klopfenstein of Grabill, IN; niece Elizabeth (Josh) Muennich of Mason, OH; and nephews Mike (Denise) Klopfenstein of Grabill, IN, Scott (Abby) Klopfenstein of Indianapolis, IN, and Todd (Jaime) Klopfenstein of Fort Wayne, IN, along with several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Rachel was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert; her son, David; her brother, John, and sister-in-law, Sharon; and her sister-in-law, Norma.

Born in 1936 to Leona (née Martin) and Irvin Leman in Roanoke, IL, Rachel graduated from Roanoke High School in 1954 and attended Brown’s Business College (now Mid State College). She worked as a secretary for Caterpillar Tractor Co. from 1956 to 1966. After raising her children, she returned to the workforce, serving as a school bus driver and cafeteria staff member at IVC High School. She later earned a certificate in Dietary Management from Illinois Central College and worked at The Lutheran Home in Peoria until her retirement in 1997.

A dedicated and active member of the community, Rachel was a past Worthy Matron and a fifty-year member of the Martha Washington Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Chillicothe, IL.

Rachel married Herbert Neuswanger on January 20, 1962. They lived in Pekin, IL, for their first ten years together before moving to Chillicothe, where Herb designed and built their home in the Northampton area. After Herbert’s passing, Rachel relocated to Boynton Beach, FL, in 1997, where she embraced her "forever home." There, her magnetic joie de vivre attracted many wonderful and diverse friends who shared her love for sunshine, the pool and beach, Florida seafood, shopping, movies, dining out, and yoga—a practice she credited with keeping her active and walking despite her severe scoliosis.

Rachel’s vibrant youthfulness, contagious enthusiasm, and infectious laughter filled every room with smiles and joy, leaving behind cherished memories for all who knew her. Family, friends and strangers alike were immediately drawn to her positive, upbeat, determined attitude. Never one to complain despite her declining mobility, Rachel was a shining example of dignity and grace— accompanied with a quick wit and boundless cheer.

Remarkably active, Rachel relished keeping up with her family and loved ones. She took immense pride in her ability to walk on her own two feet, right until the end. At age 76, she spent full days at Disney and Universal, keeping pace with her then-11-year-old grandson. Even in her 80s, she delighted in walking circles around her family and friends at the State Fairs of Texas and South Florida and at her beloved shopping malls.

In 2021, it was a blessing and a gift to her family when she chose to enrich their lives further by sharing their household in Texas for her final three amazing years.