Ralph Swartz, 82
Born: Sept. 28, 1929
Died: May 12, 2012

Ralph D. Swartz, 82, of Buchanan, died at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2012, at his home of natural causes.

He was born Sept. 28, 1929, in Bertrand Township. He was a lifetime area resident.

He was a farmer and retired from I&M Electric Co.

Ralph was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran and member of the Buchanan American Legion Post 51 and the VFW.

Ralph married Margaret Ann (Mickle) Swartz on Dec. 19, 1953, in Jonesville, N.C.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Buchanan; son, Mary (Ann) Swartz, of Germantown, Ohio; daughters, Karen (Bob) Freehling, of Baroda, Janet (David) Kuhn, of Buchanan, and Alice (Joe) Kring, of Buchanan; sister, Evelyn Cleary, of Buchanan; six grandchildren, Matt, T.J., Nichole, Alex, David and Ross; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lelia Swartz.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at Hoven Funeral Home in Buchanan with Pastors David Mitchell and Dan Greegor officiating.

Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Buchanan.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Buchanan District Library and Hospice at Home Inc. of Buchanan.