Claude ”gene” Swartzel

Claude E. “Gene” Swartzel, age 54, of Dover, died Saturday, October 23, 2010, in his home with his family by his side, following a brief illness.A son of Ella Carman Swartzel-Jones of Dover and the late Claude M. Swartzel, Gene was born at Ironton, Ohio on October 21, 1956.Gene was a graduate of Dover High School and continued his education at the Hobart Welding School at Troy, Ohio.For 34 years, Gene was a millwright for the Timken Company at Canton and was a long-time member of United Steel Workers Union Local 1123. Gene was a skilled welder who worked very hard on the tasks he was assigned. Among his peers he earned the nickname “Killer”, which reflected the fact that he successfully mastered every task. Others however, stated: “If Gene touched it, it was worth money.”Gene was a “gear-head” at heart. He loved to work on cars and fix all things mechanical. He also enjoyed fishing, but most of all enjoyed time spent at home on his back deck sharing stories with family and friends.Additionally, Gene was a fan of the Cleveland Browns and grew to become a fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes. Gene will be greatly missed by his family, who in addition to his mother, Ella, includes his step-father, Dave Jones of Dover; his wife of nearly 16 years, the former Kathryn M. Dague; a son, C. Mason Swartzel of New Philadelphia; a step-son, John P. May of Bloomington, Indiana; a sister, Donna (Terry)VanSickel of Malvern; and a nephew, Dr. Kevin (Alyson) Borst of Cleveland.Completing the family are his mother-in-law, Doris Dague of Dennison; a sister-in-law, Cindy Dague of Dover; three brothers-in-law, Jerry Dague of Dennison, Bryan (Lynn) Dague of Dover, and John (Lisa) Dague of Sugarcreek and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.In addition to his father, Gene was preceded in death by four uncles, Clyde, Dick, Bob, and Jim Swartzel and his father-in-law, Jerry Dague.The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 28, 2010, from 6 to 7PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover. Pastor Brian Flood will lead a memorial service celebrating Gene’s life in the Dover Funeral Center at 7PM. Following the service, the family wishes to invite guests to join them in their home where a meal and fellowship will be shared.Those unable to attend may send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website. The family requests that memorial contributions in Gene’s name be directed to Community Hospice, 201 W Third Street, Dover, Ohio 44622.