Howard Carl Henry Swartz, 95, of Turk Lake, Greenville died Sunday morning at Metron of Greenville. Born June 25, 1909 to John and Elizabeth Sass Swartz, he was raised at Turk Lake with brothers Emerson, Wesley, and Norman who preceded him in death and his surviving sister, Leona Dyer. In 1933 he married Thelma J. Ek and they spent 45 loving years together until her death in 1978. He married Kathryn E. Knapp Freeman in 1991 who also preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his son-in-law, Rev. Raymond Flessner in 1999.
Mr. Swartz is survived by his daughter, Joyce Flessner of Turk Lake, son, Dan Swartz of Grand Rapids, and grandchildren, Jodie, Jennifer, Bryan, Andrew, Matthew, David, and Timothy. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was a member of the Turk Lake Evangelical, Ev. United Brethren (now United Methodist) Church for 63 years, teaching Sunday School and serving on virtually every committee. He also donated the property for the current church and parsonage. For the last several years he has been a regular attendee of Sidney Christian Church.
Mr. Swartz greatly enjoyed being a public servant, including service as Montcalm County Commissioner, Montcalm Township Supervisor and Treasurer, and serving on the Road Commission for 28 years. He was also an Assistant Scout Master and, as a young man, was hired to plant many of the trees at what is now the Ann Behrens Girl Scout Camp. In addition to a lifetime of farming, he retired from Gibson's, holding positions from sweeper to foreman. Reflecting on his life, Howard stated, "In all my jobs I did my best, with the help of the Lord."
A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at 1 PM Saturday, February 26, 2005 from the Hurst Funeral Home, Greenville with the Rev. Bernard Loew officiating. The family will receive relatves and friends Saturday from 11 AM until 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Turk Lake United Methodist Church or to the Sidney Christian Church.
