“Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others.” Donald E. Swanger lived his entire life being dedicated and giving everything he had to his family, to the children of his baseball teams, the booster club, and to his church.
Don died on Friday, October 21, 2011, at his daughter’s residence surrounded by his loving family following an extended illness. He was 83 years old and lived in Marion, Ohio.
On September 20, 1928, Don was born in Muncie, Indiana, one of three sons of the late Fred and Kathyrn (Rummel) Swanger. He was raised in Muncie, and graduated from the Central High School in the Class of 1947.
Shortly following graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to join his fellow countrymen in the Korean Conflict. He served in the field of communication, assisting with telephone repair and installation. He had been stationed in Wyoming and Alaska before joining the fight in Korea.
Upon his honorable discharge, Don moved to Columbus, Ohio. It wasn’t long before a young lady who lived in his apartment complex caught his eye, Virginia “Gini” Roberts. After creatively winning her over, Don and Gini were married on August 10, 1958, at the Broad Street Christian Church, where they were members at the time. Together they have shared over 53 wonderful years of marriage and lovingly raised five children.
Once arriving in Columbus, Don started working as a salesman, first for the Sunshine Biscuit Company and then for the Glick Furniture Company. In 1966, Glick’s transferred him to their Marion store, the Schaffner Furniture Store. After the Schaffner store closed, he became the manager of the Lucas Appliance Company. Lastly, he served as the building superintendant for Epworth United Methodist Church until his retirement.
Always wanting the best for all children, Don loved coaching Little League Baseball for years and years. At the end of every season, he would reward his entire team with a trip to Cedar Point and have them share his love for roller coasters. In addition to baseball, he later dedicated his passion to coaching the Peacock Water Women’s softball team.
After witnessing the inequality of opportunities in sports for boys compared to girls, Don chose to dedicate the rest of his life to the Marion Harding Athletic Booster Club to try and give girls the same opportunities as boys. Later in life, the athletic boosters became his passion and whenever one thought of the booster club one thought of Don. For many years, he also served as the President of the booster club, constantly asking “What can we do for the kids?”
An avid golfer, Don enjoyed golfing as often as he could, especially at Hickory Grove. He was also a member of the Marion Golf Association, and was a member of the Moose to golf in their league at Kings Mill.
Anyone who knows Don, knows that to say he was set in his ways would be a drastic understatement. It would also be an understatement to call Don impatient, except when it came to waiting in line at Cedar Point and when he was warding off death time and time again.
Don will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Gini Swanger of Marion; five children: Scott (Victoria) Swanger of Forney, Texas, and their children: Cesar and Benjamin; Doug (Patty) Swanger of Hudson, Wisconsin, and their children: Jennifer, Kristin, and Kyle; Kathy Swanger of Marion; Bob (Carmen) Swanger of Woodbury, Minnesota, and their children: Jordan and Caity; and Misty Swanger of Delaware; a brother, Robert (Norma) Swanger of Tempe, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Mary Swanger of Muncie, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews.
Including his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his brother, William Swanger.
The Swanger family will greet friends from 2 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2011, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring his life will be held on Monday at 3:30 p.m. at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion, with Rev. Colleen Ogle officiating. His family will again greet friends for the hour prior to his services. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Marion Cemetery.
Rather than flowers, his family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Don Swanger Scholarship Fund, c/o Marion Harding Athletic Booster Club, P. O. Box 330, Marion, Ohio 43301.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Don’s family, and online condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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