George Swearingen 1923 - 2005

SWEARINGEN, BRETZ, SMITH, GOODALE, HANSON

Posted By: A.M.W. (email)
Date: 3/18/2006 at 00:59:22

February 5, 2005 – Iowa City Press Citizen

George R. Swearingen, age 82, of Sigourney, died peacefully Thursday, February 3, 2005, at his home.

George was born January 8, 1923, in Winfield, Iowa, to George and Priscilla (Bretz) Swearingen. He graduated from Winfield High School and received his B.S. from Iowa State University, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. On June 18, 1949 George married Marian Smith in Maywood, Illinois. George taught Vocational Agriculture at Sigourney Community Schools for 27 years, retiring in 1976, and served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1979 until 1988. He was a member of the Sigourney United Methodist Church, 50 year member of Webb Lodge #182 A.F. & A.M., where he was Past Master, 50 year member of Aspasia Chapter #198 O.E.S., where he was Past Patron, Kaaba Shrine, Consistory and an honorary member of Alpha Zeta.

George enjoyed being with his family, watching his grandchildren play sports and fixing things.

Survivors include his wife: Marian of Sigourney; two daughters: Sue Marie Swearingen of Iowa City and Barbara Goodale and husband David of West Chester, Pennsylvania; one son: George, Jr. "Bob" and wife Gina of Sigourney; seven grandchildren: Abby, Sarah, Michael and William Goodale, Jonathan Swearingen, Seth and Shane Swearingen; one sister: Evelyn Hanson and husband Allen of Ventura, California and one brother: Donald Dean Swearingen and wife Helen of Waukee. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Eileen.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 7, 2005, at the Sigourney United Methodist Church with Rev. John Hembry officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Sigourney. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 6, 2005, at the Reynolds-Powell Funeral Chapel in Sigourney, where there will be a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m.

A memorial fund has been established for the Sigourney United Methodist Church. Reynolds-Powell Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service in Sigourney is handling the arrangements.