Thursday, May 1st, 2014
Mary Belle Swonger
Mary Belle Swonger, 82, Celina, passed away at 11:52 a.m. April 29, 2014, at her residence with her family present.
She was born May 29, 1931, in Piqua, to Ferd A. and Caroline Risk Helmstetter. On June 1, 1952, she married B.J. Swonger, who survives in Celina.
Also surviving are two sons, Bruce (Kim) Swonger and Scott (Mary) Swonger, Celina; a daughter, Shawn (Mike) Dues, Celina; seven grandchildren, Annie Mir, Alissa Mir, Christopher Mir, Benjamin Swonger, Christian Swonger, Ethan Swonger and McKenna Swonger; and two sisters, Jean Helmstetter, St. Marys, and Nancy Zumberge, Celina.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sue Ann Swonger; a brother and sister-in-law, Ferd and Mary Helmstetter; and a brother-in-law, Norman Zumberge.
She was a 1949 graduate of St. Marys Memorial High School and a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Celina, and Phi Beta Psi Sorority (Iota Gamma Chapter), Celina. She was active with the St. Paul's United Methodist Church Faith by Phone and was a den mother and a leader for the Brownies and the Cub Scouts. She was a Welcome Wagon hostess and one of the original members on the board of advisers for State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice in Coldwater. She enjoyed her friends and the Round Robin Bridge Club. She also loved to work in her gardens, solve crossword puzzles and travel.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina, the Rev. Robert Metheny officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery, St. Marys.
Calling is 2-8 p.m. Friday at Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home, Celina.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Lake Hospice or St. Paul's United Methodist.
Online condolences may be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.
