Eugene Carl Swonger, Jr

EUGENE C. SWONGER, JR., went to be with the Lord on December 18, 2002. He passed away at Union Hospital in Dover, the place he was born May 19, 1945. He was the only son of Eugene and Betty Swonger.At the age of 8 Gene became fascinated with stamp collecting and it developed into a life-long love. He was always thrilled when he could inspire young people to start collections of their own and frequently gave away stamps as an incentive. Through his associations with many stamp clubs throughout the United States, Gene had developed lasting relationships with other stamp collectors worldwide.He was a 1963 graduate of Dover High School in and immediately enlisted in the Army. After his honorable discharge, he settled in California where he resided for almost 30 years.Gene never married, but the joy of his life was his nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He will be missed at the Saturday night family card parties. Surviving in addition to his parents are two sisters and their husbands, Lois and Bill DeMattio and Carol and Mike McHale, his sisters’ six children and their twelve grandchildren.He will be missed not only by his immediate family but also aunts, uncles and cousins, not forgetting a long list of friends from Dover Flea Market and his stamp and coin club associates.Gene will be remembered by his kind, easy spirit and his devotion to his family. He held yearly stamp auctions in which proceeds were given to Hospice of Tuscarawas County so we request donations in his name be sent to Hospice at 201 W. 3rd St., Dover, OH 44622.The family will announce the date for a memorial service.