Raymond G. Swavel

Raymond G. Swavel, age 83, of Upper Sandusky, died
Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 3:38pm in the Emergency Room
of Wyandot Memorial Hospital in Upper Sandusky.

Raymond was born on May 19, 1925 in Marion County to Harry and Roxie (Kincaid) Swavel. He married Winnifred Hensel on April 12, 1945 and she is deceased.

Raymond is survived by his longtime companion, Barbara Eley of Upper Sandusky, along with his two sons, Bernie (Nancy) Swavel of Marion and Brian (Janice Alexander) Swavel of Morral and two daughters, Beverly (Marshall) Baker of Marion and Bonnie (James) McKee of Marion.

Also surviving are six grandchildren, Wesley (Penny) Baker, Lesley (Aaron) Boulant, Krista (Joe) Metzger, Dawn (Mike) Stoner, Lindsey Swavel and Bradley Swavel. Along with six great grandchildren, Gavin Metzger, Garrett Metzger, Grant Metzger, Grace Metzger, Gage Metzger and Lauren Boulant.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Chester, Ernest, Robert ad Richard Swavel and three sisters, Sarah Young, Hazel Fink and Ruby Blumenschein.

Raymond was a retired farmer and a WWII Army veteran, having served as a staff sergeant with the 2nd. Infantry Division in Europe. In October of 2002, Raymond along with other veterans, were honored at the Palace Theater by the French Government for their participation in the Normandy Invasion.

Raymond was a 1943 graduate of Marseilles High School. A member of the Amvets #777 and the American Legion #225, both in Upper Sandusky, and the Ohio Farmers Union. He was a former member of the Eagles Club and The Moose Lodge in Kenton.

For hobbies, Raymond was an avid sportsman. He hunted, trapped, fished, pitched baseball and played softball and golfed. He was in a bowling league for several years and had been in many pool tournaments.

He was an avid bingo player, where he was known as the "candy man". Raymond loved spending time with his family, grandkids and those kids he and Barbara babysat for.