Obituary of William Swope

SWOPE – William “Bill” “Pappy”, 94, of Ebensburg, passed away peacefully November 24, 2018 at Haida Manor. Born May 16th, 1924 in Altoona, son of the late Marcellus and Gertrude (Nedimyer) Swope. Preceded in death by first wife, Ruth C. (Strittmater) Swope, second wife, Mary Ruth (Miller) Swope; brother Joseph, and sister Helen Hettle. Survived by children: Leonard (Joan) Swope, Brownsburg, Indiana; Lawrence (Virginia) Swope, Ebensburg; James (Denise) Swope, Indiana, Pa.; Richard (Deborah) Swope, and Cynthia (Thomas) Keefe, all of Hastings; Brian (Mary) Swope, New Bloomfield, Pa; and Robert (Sharon) Swope, of Ebensburg. Also survived by 26 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and sister: Marjorie Dietrick, Greensburg, Pa. Retired, he had been employed as a heavy equipment operator for the mining industry, truck driver, and had owned a logging business with his sons. Bill was a member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church, where he had served as a volunteer, festival worker, festival noodle maker, Eucharistic Minister, and Altar Server. He was also a long time member of the Knights of Columbus. Bill enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards and hunting. Friends will be received from 4 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, where a vigil prayer service will be held Tuesday evening. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday at Holy Name Church, Rev. Monsignor David Lockard, celebrant. Interment at St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Hastings. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Ann, Ebensburg.