Mildred E. Swihart

Mildred E. Swihart, 92, Shipshewana, IN formerly of Silver Lake, IN and North Manchester, IN died at 8:26 p.m. March 3, 2010 in her residence. She was born February 4, 1918 in Kosciusko County, IN to Marshall & Rena (Metzger) Beigh. On September 14, 1940 she married Wayne E. Swihart. He survives. Mildred attended Maple Grove School, Silver Lake, IN and graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1936. She did undergraduate studies at Manchester College and Valparaiso University with BS degree in elementary education, MA degree in Liberal Studies and specialist degree in reading. Mildred was an elementary teacher in Porter County and retired in 1986 from Valparaiso Community Schools. She began serving the church as pianist with West Eel River Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake, IN. She served the following with her husband, Wayne, student pastor at Congregational Christian, Ohio, Burlington Brethren, TIOSA & Mexico Brethren, Milford Brethren, Muncie Brethren and Mishawaka Brethren retiring in 1986. She was a member of West Eel River Church of the Brethren, Silver Lake, IN, Porter County Retired Teacher's Association and State of Indiana Retired Teacher's Association. One of her favorite hobbies was quilting. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Swihart, Shipshewana, IN; two sons, Thomas (Sharon) Swihart, Valparaiso, IN and David Swihart, Leesburg, IN; two daughters, Ann (Jack) Swihart Butts, Naples, FL and Nancy (Martin) Swihart McClintock, St. Louis, MO; two sisters, Ines Tracy, North Manchester, IN and Mrs. Gene (Marcile) Ranstead, Wabash, IN; eleven grandchildren, Jason Butts, Kevin Butts, Lisa Swihart, Mancy Swihart, Rob Swihart, Christa Swihart, Michael Swihart, Jamie Swihart, Ryan McClintock, Jef McClintock and Amy McClintock and eleven great grandchildren. One brother, Eugene Beigh, and one sister, Marjorie Hettler, are deceased. Services will be March 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN. Calling will be one hour prior to services. Pastor Paul Tinkel will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Mildred Swihart, memorial contributions may be made to West Eel River Church of the Brethren, 799 W. State Road 14, Silver Lake, IN 46982 or Alzheimers Association, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. To send private condolences to the family, please use the CONDOLENCE LINK on the HOME PAGE.