SWISHER, Fred E. (1922-2004)

SWISHER, RIHERD, MACY, SIPLING, SCHRANDT, HOWELL

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society (email)
Date: 3/11/2016 at 14:22:35

Fred E. Swisher, 1922-2004

May 19, 2004

Fred E. Swisher, 81, of Britt, died on Monday, May 10, 2004, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 14, at the United Methodist Church in Britt, with the Rev. Robert Dodge officiating. Music was provided by organist, Myra Bowman who accompanied a congregational hymn and special music by Russell and Cindy Schubert. Ushers were Dennis Zuehl and Don Eisenman.

Casket bearers were Roger Kjellberg, Bill Hudson, Dennis Brumm, David Beech, Jim Pals, Bob Sanger, Jack Fisher and Gene Perkins. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt with military rites by the Britt Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Taps was performed by his granddaughter, Carla Riherd. The Cataldo Funeral Home of Britt was in charge of the arrangements.

Fredrick Ernest Swisher, the son of Ernest and Blanche (Macy) Swisher, was born on May 24, 1922 at Vermillion, South Dakota. He attended school in Vermillion where he graduated from high school in 1940. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 18, 1940, and served his country as a radio operator in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Following his honorable discharge on June 21, 1945, he returned to Vermillion and attended the University of South Dakota where he received his bachelor's degree in Speech/English.

On October 2, 1954, he married Jean Sipling at Le Grand. They lived in Des Moines, Hampton and in 1957 the couple moved to Britt. Fred taught school in Rapid City, South Dakota, Hansell and from 1957 to 1986 at Britt. In his teaching career at Britt he taught English and was in charge of the drama department and debate team. Fred also taught communication skills at NIACC in Mason City for 22 years. He enjoyed his family, golf, visiting with people and talking about history, especially WW II.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Britt, United Methodist Men and was a Sunday School Teacher. He also was a member of the Britt American Legion, Masonic Lodge and ISEA. Fred was active in the Hancock County Little Theatre and was instrumental in helping organize it.

Survivors are his wife, Jean of Britt; three children, Sherri Schrandt and husband, Don of Britt, Deb Swisher of Nashville, Tennessee and Terry Swisher of Nashville; four grandchildren, Gina Riherd of Forest City, John Riherd of Cleveland, Texas; Katie Riherd of Crystal Lake and Carla Riherd of Britt; six great-grandchildren, Samantha, Zack, Mackenzie, Steven, Abby and Zebastion; and a sister-in-law, Jo Swisher of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Robert Allen Riherd; a brother, Warren "Buck" Swisher; a half-sister, Millicent Howell; and a half-brother, Walter Swisher.

©The Garner Leader & Signal 2004