Charles "Chick" Sheldon Swihart

Self-employed dairy farmer. Charles Sheldon "Chick" Swihart, 83, of Washington, formerly of Amity, died Thursday, August 10, 2006, in Washington Hospital, following a lengthy illness. He was born September 4, 1922, in Washington, a son of Sheldon B. and Pearl Johnston Swihart. Mr. Swihart graduated from Trinity High School in 1940 and was a self-employed dairy farmer. He once raised sheep and chickens, sold eggs, grew vegetables and had a vegetable truck farm. In his younger years, he worked in local gas and oil fields. He was a member and officer in Agway, Pennsylvania Farmers Association, Dairymen's Cooperative Association and Milk Inc. (now Milk Marketing). He was a member of Agriculture Conservation and Holstein-Fresian Association. Mr. Swihart was interested in genealogy and actively pursued Swihart family genealogy. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene, Waynesburg. On January 22, 1946, he married Frances Iva Berdine, who survives and with whom he celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in January. Also surviving are five children, Iva Jane Verner, Sylvia (Eric) Johnson and Raymond (Kathy) Swihart, all of Washington, Charles F. (Patrice) Swihart of Amity and Dennis (Vicki) Swihart of Jefferson, Ohio; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Deceased are a son, Larry R. Swihart; and a great-granddaughter. Services were private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to Youth for Christ, P.O. Box 403, Washington, PA 15301, or Amity-Lone Pine Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 388, Amity, PA 15311. William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., Washington, handled arrangements.