George Swinehart

George Robert "Bob" Swinehart, 81, a resident of rural Churubusco, died at 2:45 p. m. Friday, February 29, 2008, at Bethlehem Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Wayne after an extended illness. Mr. Swinehart was born in Noble County on August 7, 1926, a son of Walter C. and Wilma Elizabeth (Slagle) Swinehart. As a young man he served his country in the U. S. Army during World War II, serving in the 35th Infantry as a light truck driver and sharpshooter. Following his military discharge he was married in Fort Wayne on January 9, 1949 to Eleanor J. Nicolet. The couple spent their married lives on the family farm in Green Township, north of Churubusco. Engaged in farming for many years in Green Township, he retired in 1990 as an operating engineer at the Falstaff Brewing Company in Fort Wayne, and was a member of Operating Engineers Local 19 in Fort Wayne. Always an intensely patriotic American, he was a member of American Legion Post 82 in Fort Wayne and the Churubusco Veteran's of Foreign Wars Turtle Post 3846. The surviving relatives include his wife Eleanor, to whom he was married for over 59 years; his children Billy Gene (Cherii) Swinehart of Churubusco, Cheryll Lynn (Bob) Fiorendino of Lantana, TX., Susan Marie (Kevin) Howlett of Asheboro, NC., and Robert Charles Swinehart of Peoria, IL; a sister Joan Parks of Kendallville; and six grandchildren Adam Swinehart, Malinda Neith, Jaimee Granberry, Andrew Howlett, Allison Neith, and Austin Howlett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Billy Jean Swinehart in World War II. Also deceased are five sisters Thelma Kruse, Violet Milford, Betty Swinehart, Norma Spriggs, and Carol Boyles; and a grandson Nickolas Swinehart. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Tuesday, March 4, at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco with Rev. Christine Newman-Jacobs, pastor of Churubusco United Methodist Church, officiating. The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Monday from 2-4 and from 6-8 p. m., or one hour prior to the service. Interment with military graveside rites will be in the Leo Cemetery, Leo. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Churubusco United Methodist Church, 750 N. Main Street, Churubusco, IN 46723 ************************************* To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Swinehart's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .