Swope, Paul Schowalter (1905-2006)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2006 Oct 16 p. 20

Birth date: 1905 Apr 24

text of obituary:

PAUL SWOPE

Paul Schowalter Swope, 101, of North Lima, Ohio, died Sept. 15, 2006. He was born April 24, 1905, to Emanuel J. and Maggie F. Burkholder Swope in Singers Glen, Va.

At age 10, he moved with his family from Virginia to Mahoning County, Ohio. He graduated from Columbiana High School in 1923 and Goshen (Ind.) College in 1931. he was Goshen College’s oldest living alumnus. He taught school for six years and then worked in sales at General Fireproofing Company for 33 years. During retirement he continued to work part time at Sheely’s Furniture store until 1997.

He accepted Christ as his Savior during his youth and faithfully served him for his entire life. He was a member of North Lima Mennonite Church, where he served as elder, Sunday school superintendent, teacher and church chorister. He was especially fond of music and participated in many choral groups. He sang solos in church until he was nearly 99 years old. He was an inspiration to his family and to all who knew him. He frequently shared his testimony, including the last Sunday he was able to attend church in June.

On Aug. 21, 1936, he married Lois Lavinia McFerren. She preceded him in death on Aug. 25, 2001.

Survivors include three children, Verna Kerns and her husband, Ellis, of Edinburgh, Ind., Ruth Ann Jantzi of Darien Center, N.Y., and Donald Swope and his wife, Joyce, of North Lima; a brother, Cleo Swope of Kalamazoo, Mich.; a sister, Margaret Lehman of Goshen, Ind.; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; seven brothers, Ira, John, Oliver, Herman, Joe, Emanuel and Roy Swope; two sisters, Mary Steiner and Nannie Lehman; and a granddaughter, Monica Lee Jantzi.

Services were held at North Lima Mennonite Church. Burial was in the church cemetery.