Dawn Otis

Dawn R. Otis (Swineheart), 51, of Ft Wayne, IN, passed away at Stillwater Hospice on Friday, March 15, 2024, after losing her battle with breast cancer. Dawn was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, niece, cousin, hockey and soccer mom, Girl Scout and Girl Scout Leader, volunteer firefighter, EMT and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Dawn was born October 28, 1972 in Fort Wayne to Mary (Gladieux-Otis) Hinsenkamp and the late Dana Otis.

After earning an undergraduate degree in biology from Indiana University Bloomington, Dawn returned to school to study nursing. She became a Registered Nurse in 2000. She went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in Nursing and a postgraduate certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. During her 24-year career in medicine, Dawn loving cared for patients at St. Joseph Hospital Ft Wayne, Methodist Hospital Indianapolis, Parkview Hospital Randallia and Parkview Regional Medical Center. Dawn has served the community for over 20 years as a Firefighter and EMT with Aboite Township Fire Department (West Central Fire District) and Southwest Fire District.

Dawn is survived by her husband Nathan Swineheart; son Wesley; daughter Dana; her parents Mary (Jim) Hinsenkamp; brother Rob (Niki) Hinsenkamp; sister Tomika Otis; stepmother Brenda Otis; mother & father in-law, Karen and David Swineheart; sister-in-law, Laura (Tim) Auer; and many cherished aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dawn was preceded in death by her infant daughter Emma; father Dana; infant brother Richard Otis; grandparents; an aunt and two uncles.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 (Noon) on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Rd, with visitation from 11:00am-12:00pm in the church. Visitation is on Thursday from 11:00am-1:00pm and 6:00pm-8:00pm at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. Visitation is also on Friday from 11:00am-1:00pm, with the Nurse's Honor Guard and Tribute at 12:00pm, and from 6:00pm-8:00pm in the funeral home, with the Rosary at 5:30pm. Burial in Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials are the TLC Breast Cancer Foundation, 111 E Ludwig Rd Suite 105, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 or to the donor's choice. To share a remembrance of Dawn or to offer condolences, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.