Gerald Swartzlander

AUSTINTOWN - A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, for Mr. Gerald "Zeke" Swartzlander, 77, who died suddenly Tuesday afternoon.
He was born May 20, 1934, in Oil City, Pa., a son of George and Goldie Swartzlander, and moved to this area in 1956.
Zeke had been in the National Guard and then went to active duty in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked at the U.S. Steel Plant until its closing and then went to work at Mill Creek Park from 1976 until he retired in 1993 as a maintenance supervisor.
His greatest joy was to go camping with his wife, Virginia, at Anglers Rest Campground in Pennsylvania and his hobby was to restore antique automobiles.
Zeke leaves his wife, the former Virginia McClinsey, whom he married Feb. 18, 1955; four daughters, Charlotte Swartzlander of Austintown, Patti John DeCenso of Austintown, Jimene Tom Evans Wilson of Canfield and Connie Jim Cross of Austintown; a son, Willy Debra of Washington, Pa.; two sisters, June Wilt of Greenville, Pa. and Phyllis Gardner of Florida; a brother, Ronnie Swartzlander of Missouri; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.
He will be sadly missed by his family and especially by his side-kick, his grandson, Jason Cross.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; two brothers; and a great-grandson.
Friends may call Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.