Curtis P. Swihart

Curtis P. Swihart, age 83, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully Monday evening, May 9, 2005, in his residence following an extended illness. Born at New Philadelphia April 20, 1922, he was a son of the late Albert and Bessie Wenger Swihart. For nearly four decades, Mr. Swihart was a postal carrier at New Philadelphia covering the East end of town. He also formerly operated a partnership with Ernie Moore and Eldon Lahmers installing antennas before the advent of Cable TV. A lifelong member of the First Church of the Nazarene at New Philadelphia, he had long assisted with the sound system, and tape ministry and was involved in the construction of the present sanctuary. Mr. Swihart also held life membership with the New Philadelphia V.F.W. post 1445, and the Disabled American Veterans. During World War II, Mr. Swihart served in the United States Army. He was involved in the Omaha Beach invasion, fighting through hedgerows, on to Belgium and Luxembourg, the Battle of the Bulge. For his service, Curtis earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon with one Silver Star for conspicuous bravery, three Bronze Stars for valor, and the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters. Mr. Swihart was also recognized in Ripley’s Believe it or Not because of the steel bound Bible that stopped a bullet from piercing his heart during battle. On June 6, 1942 Curtis married his neighborhood sweetheart, the former Ruby G. Belknap. The two were married for sixty-three years during which time the couple traveled to forty-nine states, Canada and Mexico during summer trips. They built a cabin and a man-made-lake near Stone creek which they named “Sassafras Hollow” Â? and their time there with family and friends made cherished memories. Their family includes two daughters; Nelda (Sonny) Sedares and Sue (Jim) May all of New Philadelphia, four grandchildren; Kevin (Anissa) Sedares, Christopher (Rebecca) Sedares, Marisa, (Scott) Butcher and Holly May, five great-grandchildren; Kurtis, Tayler and Kai Sedares, Christian and Sebastian Sedares, two sisters; June Denning and Margaret Sindlinger, both of Dover, a brother, Jack (Cindy) Swihart of Saginaw, MI, and a much loved dog; “Sassy.”In addition to his parents, two brothers precede him in death; Glenn and Gene Swihart. Friends are invited to call Friday afternoon from 2-4 and 6-8 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Reverends Jim Swihart (a nephew of the deceased) and Glen Shedlock will officiate Mr. Swihart’s funeral service Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial, with military honors from the New Philadelphia Military Honor Guard, will follow at Evergreen Burial Park. Family and friends will gather for a reception at the Geib Funeral Center, across from Dover Burial Park in Dover, following the committal service. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622, The Tuscarawas County Dog Pound, 441 University Drive, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.