Barbara J. Swihart, age 79, of Walkerville, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014, after a short illness. She was born April 9, 1935, in Mears, to John and Isabel Pearl (Clayton) Anderson. Barb was the eldest of five siblings and she graduated from Hart High School with the Class of 1952. On July 7, 1956, Barb married Douglas C. Swihart at Sackrider Church in Elbridge Township; they were married fifty-seven years. Barb worked as a teacher's aide at Elbridge Community School, where she earned the nickname "Sarge". She helped her husband Douglas run their two hundred five acre fruit farm, Hi-Lo Orchards, in Elbridge Township; she worked at Fort Rosa Parks; and owned Camp Care-O-Van on Little Pebawma Lake. Barb enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called her "GMA". Walking with her dogs, she enjoyed the beauty of nature and bird-watching. She collected hummingbirds and was an avid reader.

Barb is survived by two sons, Mike Swihart and Jeffrey Swihart both of Walkerville; two daughters, Nancy (Rick) Helmer and Cheri (Dan) Eisenlohr, both of Hart; nine grandchildren, Jason, Jarred, Jaime, Russell, Chase, Chelsea, Dustin, April, Chris; fourteen great-grandchildren, Brianna, Justin, Shawn, Dakota, Deagan, Kalib, Blake, Dougie, Devin, Raylynn, Mason, Aaron, Averie, Rylen; sister, Shirley (Mike) Marshall of Grand Rapids; adopted son, Keith (Sue) Sanford of Clarksville, TN; lifelong friend of forty years, Nina Reeves of Kalamazoo; and eighteen nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Carl Swihart on February 15, 2002; her parents; her step-father, John Druce; three brothers, Wayne, Wendell, and Bruce Anderson; and one sister, Beverly Tubbs.

A Memorial Service for Barb will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at King Funeral Home in Hart with Pastor Bob Abbott officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, in honor of her husband, sons, and grandsons who have served in the military.

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