Ronda Lou Cowans, 49 years old of Decatur, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2014 at U.S. Hwy 27 North of Decatur after being fatally injured in an automobile accident. Ronda was born on Wednesday, April 28, 1965 in Bluffton, Indiana the daughter of Ronnie L. Swygart (survives) and the late Betty L. (Kitchen) Swygart. She married Tyler Cowans on December 31, 1994 in Decatur, Indiana and he survives. Ronda was a member of Tri Kappa Sorority for 20 years where she held several past offices and was now in their Honorary Membership. She served on the Board of Directors for the Adams Wells Crisis Shelter from 1997 to 2013 and held the office of secretary for many years. According to the Executive Director, Andie Gunsett, "she was so very giving of her time and dedicated to helping "those in need". She was a member of the Business & Professional Women's Club of Decatur and the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur. She had also bowled from 1983 to 1993 at Villa Lanes as part of the Shoemaker's Gals bowling team. Ronda was employed by Coldwell-Banker Roth Wehrly Graber Realtors in Ft. Wayne, IN; Subway in Decatur; and Niblick's Bistro in Decatur until her untimely death. She had also served as a substitute teacher for North Adams Community Schools for many years. She had previously been employed by Prestige Realty in Decatur from 1996 to 2001. During her tenure there, she achieved her Real Estate Sales License on June 29, 2000 and then went on to receive her Brokers License in June 2004. She had also worked at ABC Real Estate in Decatur; Heartland Auction & Realty in Decatur; and Krueckeberg Auction & Realty in Decatur. Surviving are her husband, Tyler Cowans of Decatur, IN; daughter, Mariah Cowans of Decatur, IN; daughter, Maranda Cowans of Decatur, IN; grandson, Jaiden Cowans of Decatur, IN; father, Ronnie (Janice) Swygart of Decatur, IN; paternal grandmother, Wilda Mae Swygart of Berne, IN; sister, Rosetta (Jerry) Bultemeier of Decatur, IN; sister, Renea (Roger) Counterman of Decatur, IN; sister, Raquel (Todd) Riley of Decatur, IN; brother, Rodney (Bev Nevil) Swygart of Decatur, IN; sister, Rochell (Chad) Parr, of Michigan; sister, Regenia (Tony) Winters of Decatur, IN; nieces & nephews: Ryan & Cecily Werling; Emily Bultemeier; Jon & Joe Counterman; Garrick & Alisha Hoverman; Eric Parr; Makayla & Madison Buckland; Colton & Cierra Swygart; Christian Weiland; Daniel & Matthew Johnson; & great nephew, Carter Perez. Ronda is also survived by many aunts & uncles. Preceding Ronda in death were her mother, Betty L. Swygart; paternal grandfather, Harold Max Swygart; and maternal grandparents, Marion & Dorothy Kitchen. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 4, 2014 in the Bridge Community Church with Rev. Mo Hodge officiating. Friends will be received from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 3, 2014 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family would request preferred memorials to the family.
