John Eugene SWEARINGEN

LARSON, SWEARINGEN, CERRA, TOUT, MYERS, SAUPE, SCHWARTZ, AGNEW

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

John Eugene Swearingen
30 May 1915 ---- 23 November 1944

John Eugene Swearingen lost his life last Thursday in an accident at the new Firestone plant which is under construction north of Des Moines. Mr. Swearingen was the husband of Prudance Larson of this city, daughter of Condr. and Mrs. L. D. Larson.

A part of the apparatus which operates the large crane broke and it swung to the ground, crushing Mr. Swearingen who died shortly after the accident.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church with the Rev. C. W. Tompkins in charge. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery. The complete obituary appears on page 4 of this issue.

Relatives from out of town who attended the funeral of Gene Swearingen were John Swearingen, Martins Ferry, W. Va.; Mrs. Elmer Cerra, Wheeling, W. Va.; Mrs. Walter Myers, Mrs. Gerald Tout, Miss Mary Swearingen, Cleveland, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Martin Larson, Waseca, Minn.; Mrs. Edward Saupe, Mrs. Wm. Schwartz, Sheldon; Mrs. Dell Agnew, Sioux Rapids.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE ---- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, November 30, 1944

*****

John Eugene Swearingen was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Swearingen at Woodland, West Virginia on May 30, 1915 and passed away at Des Moines, Iowa on November 23, 1944. He leaves his beloved wife; his father and mother; two brothers, LeRoy and Hershel; four sisters, Gussie (Mrs. Elmer Cerra); Marie (Mrs. Gerald Tout); and Marthy and Mary Swearingen.

Gene spent his boyhood in Ohio, receiving his schooling at Warrenton and affiliating with the Methodist church at Winterset, later transferring his membership to the Lakewood Methodist church.

He was trained as a structural steel worker and became a skilled and valued employee on various important projects.

On May 29th of this year, he was united in marriage with Prudence Larson of Eagle Grove, Iowa at the Lakewood Methodist church at Lakewood, Ohio where they made their home. Gene spent two months at Hanford, Washington on a DuPont project but as a suitable residence for his young bride was not available, he returned to take employment with the American Bridge company in construction of the Firestone building in Des Moines, where their home was established in October.

Among his fellow workers, Gene was valued for his integrity and skill, and admired for his quiet friendliness. The charm of his personality endeared him, not only to those of his intimate family circle, but to the larger group of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, Nov. 26th at the Methodist church. The pastor, Rev. Clarence W. Tompkins had charge of the services. Burial was in Rose Hill cemetery.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE ---- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, November 30, 1944

source ---- Paul Wilde