Elmer W Swartz

Elmer W. Swartz, 87, died on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at Valley View Healthcare Center with his family by his side listening to his favorite Big Bands music. He was born on June 3, 1924 in Woodville, OH to Clarence and Ethel (Hampshire) Swartz. Elmer was a 1942 graduate of Woodville High School. He served in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division during WWII in the European Theater. During his years in the service he received the ETO Ribbon with five battle stars and an arrowhead, Parachute Badge, Combat Infantrymen Badge, Bronze Star for Valor, WWII Victory Medal, Belgian Bouragerre, Netherlands Award and Good Conduct Medal with a distinguished unit badge. In the book Those Devils in Baggy Pants, Elmer is referred to as Destinys Tot. On October 15, 1946, he married Barbara Schmitz at St. Marks Lutheran Church in Fremont and she preceded him in death. Elmer was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church. He was a driver/salesman for Meadow Gold Dairy for 27 years and had also worked at Nickles Bakery for 8 years before retiring in 1985. Elmer was a member of the 504th Regimental Parachute Association, the American Legion for 67 years and the Col. Ruben H. Tucker Chapter of the 82nd Airborne Division, a lifetime member of the VFW and the Eagles. He served for eighteen years as the secretary/treasurer for the Fremont City Bowling Association. Elmer was an avid Detroit Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes fan. He coached Little League city champion baseball teams for many years.

Surviving are his son, Terry (Linda) of Millbury, OH, daughters, Susan Strohl (Ron Bruns) of Fremont and Karen (David) Griffith of Vickery; five grandchildren, Kerri ( Matt) Moyer, Jeff Swartz, Shane (Angie) McConnell, Tony (Kara) Griffith and Rachel Griffith; six great-grandchildren, Alyssa & Blake Moyer, Bryce & Grant McConnell, Brianna Swartz and Quinn Griffith; and special friend, Veneta Oberhaus. He is preceded in death by his wife; parents; son-in-law, Mark Strohl; siblings, Omar Swartz, Ida Murray, Walter Swartz and Juanita Millard.

Visitation will be on Thursday, July 21, 2011 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Services will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. the funeral home with one hour of visitation prior to the service at the funeral home. Pastor Joe Lees will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery with military rites performed by the VFW and American Legion Posts. Memorials may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church or the Little Giant Baseball Club.