Residents line procession route to honor Rep. Jackie Walorski Swihart
Hundreds of people lined the procession route to pay their respects to US Rep. Jackie Walorski Swihart Thursday afternoon.
Following the funeral at Granger Community Church, the procession traveled Cleveland to Capital to Kern for burial at Southlawn Cemetery.
Many that lined the procession route didn't know Walorski personally, but wanted to show their appreciation for her and say their final goodbyes.
“We’re not connected to her in any way other than politically, and we’ve seen her at lots of rallies and just places that she’s been we’ve talked with her. She acted like she knew us even though she didn’t know us, just that we were some of the constituents," said Stan and Jane Hunsberger.
One couple brought with them a retired veteran flag to wave in remembrance of Rep. Walorski's passion for supporting local veterans.
“She did so much for the retirees, the veterans especially too. My husband is a veteran and we just want to show our appreciation to her," Duane and Sabine Mitchell said.
Many said they would miss her simply because she was one of them.
“She was an everyday person that way, just like you and me," Duane and Sabine Mitchell said.
“Just the way she made you feel, even though you didn’t know her maybe as a friend or church member or anything like that, she just made you feel like you were really close people, and it hurts," Stan and Jane Hunsberger said.