Reitzel Orville Swaim, Jr.
Print
Reitzel Orville Swaim, Jr., 80, of Sadsbury Twp., went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, under the care of Tel Hai Retirement Community. He was the widower of Doris J. Swaim, who passed away in 2016 after they had shared 53 years of marriage.
Born in Coatesville, Reitzel was the son of the late Mary L. (Richardson) and Reitzel O. Swaim Sr.
He was a graduate of Scott High School and obtained an Assoc. Degree from Wharton.
Reitzel served in the United States Army Reserve from 1960 to 1966. He served in Coatesville, and later on in Reading. He was Company A, 4th Battalion, 77th Armor, of the 157th Infantry Brigade.
He was the former President and Owner of ALP Industries.
He is survived by two daughters, C. Elise Shepard of Coatesville, and Stephanie A. Jones, wife of Donald, of Parkesburg; five grandchildren, Michael, Hannah, Emma and Ruth Shepard and Lisa Jones and his brother, Bob Swaim of Coopersburg, PA. He was predeceased by his son, Michael Lee Swaim; and brother, Jim Swaim.
The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 30th at 11 AM at the Tel Hai Chapel, 1200 Tel Hai Circle, Honey Brook, PA, followed by interment at Upper Octorara Cemetery. The viewing will be held at the Chapel from 10 to 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Parkesburg Point Youth Center, PO Box 731, Parkesburg, PA 19365.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
Reitzel was a good man
My deepest condolences to Reitzel and Doris' family.
I worked with Reitzel for 2 years. His passion and infectious enthusiam, as well as his commitment to excellence, made a huge impact on my life. I was always struck by Reitzel's honesty, respect, and work ethic, and I hope I can live up to those values as I get older.
so sorry
Reitzel was my uncle he had a lot of cool toys one I Remember was the brickilin it reminded you of the Delorean in back to the future. I Remember the family dogs both share and spoof which both were very similar. i remember thanksgiving was great many years at there place. When reitzel built his new crib he was very excited about the generator he was going to add. He juggled a corporation and a family. I hope for the best for his family during these times.
His mission on earth has been
His mission on earth has been accomplished. Ritzel has touched so many people's lives. MY prayers are with him and his family. I will always remember the gatherings with him and his family through the years. A great and interesting person. God bless him and his family. Gone but not forgotten.
Dear Reitzel and family
Reitzel was a very special man, father and family man. I felt blessed by his presence. It was truly my pleasure to help and care for him in his later years at Tel Hai. We had many political discussions, respectful of each other's opinion. We often set out to solve the world's problems. Truly a man of integrity and one who sought fairness and truth. He loved his family more than they knew Truly he is in the presence of the Lord this day.
Thoughts and prayers
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
"Sonny" Swaim
<p>"Sonny" was my cousin and I thought highly of him and his other two brothers. We always enjoyed his visits when coming through Winston-Salem, NC on his return to Pennsylvania with his brother Bob and our visits to Pennsylvania to visit them as well. He was a very happy man and full of laughter. May God bless all of his family in this grieving process that they will be going through in the next coming days, months, and years. He will truly be missed by many.</p>
Prayers & Sympathy
Reitzel was such a generous & caring man.
We served together on our high school reunion committee.
He was so very dedicated & generous to our Class.
Thoughts & prayers to his children, grandchildren & all family & friends.
Bob & Sandy Olseski
Reitzel and I were school
Reitzel and I were school mates. He was a very very intelligent man and this can be seen by his future accomplishments. He was an active member of our Class Reunion (class of 1955 S. Horace Scott High School). A more caring or generous man would be hard to fine. Thanks for what you did not only for our class of 1955 but for your community. Heaven is indeed receiving another angel. God Bless your family and friends.
Reitzel Swaim
A good man that love his family his friends I admired the way that he enjoyed life He was a role model and a mentor for me His work ethic was examplified with impeccable character Our discussions about his grand kids always brought a gleam and smiles to his demeanor. I’m going to miss him in valley township His legacy will always to felt throughout the community Reitzel will always be remembered and the good that he have Performed As an intergal part of the community and my life with my thoughts hope and dreams were obtainable with his support encouragement and his friendship. May he recieve the blessings my condolences goes out to all of his love ones he will be missed
Hon Grover e Koon
Sorry for your loss
I am sorry to hear of Reitzel's death. We kenw him through the Associated Wire Rope Fabricators for over 20 years and always respected him as a person and a businessman. I will keep Reitzel and all his family in my thoughts and prayers.
Robert Bairstow
A very good friend
Judi & I knew Reitzel & Doris Swaim as our best friends. Spent time with them in their home & our home..They were gracious all ways.. I knew Reitzel through business. Both as business associates & as a good friend of 25 plus years. In business he was honest and fair. I talked to him just before this past Christmas. It was hard to listen, knowing how was struggling to talk. But I felt that he was glad to hear from an old friend. Judi & I hearts go out to his family, knowing we lost a good friend. We all lost a good man.
Condolences
Sincerest condolences from Chant Engineering and its entire staff.
Reitzel Swaim
Reitzel and Doris were wonderful friends both in business and personal. Very sad for us; however they are now together again.
From Niece JoAnn Swaim Ireland
I have wonderful memories of my Uncle Sonny. I had to have a planned medical procedure followed by a brief hospital stay as a young teenager, my Uncle Sonny made it a priority to travel from Pennsylvania to Washington DC with his wife Doris to take myself and my Mom out to dinner the night before the procedure and visit me in the hospital after the procedure was over. When I graduated from college, he again, took time out of his busy schedule to travel to Penn State to celebrate the accomplishment. When I got married to my husband Andrew, he again, made it a priority to celebrate our wedding. I’ll never forget those generous acts of kindness during the challenging and some of the happiest times in my life.
I will always greatly admire his accomplishments as an entrepreneur, and his ability and techniques to achieve them. He shared an entrepreneurial story, or lesson, with my family once about being willing to encourage and fund an employee who has a good idea, even if he didn’t agree with the idea or didn’t think it would work. My Uncle Sonny realized if the idea comes from the employee, that employee will have more passion to follow through and do great things with the idea, which could be very beneficial for both individuals and the business.
I also have wonderful childhood memories enjoying Thanksgiving at his house with his wife, daughters, and extended family, and am so happy they welcomed my parents, my brother, and myself into their home to share the family memories. My deepest sympathies to Elise, Stephanie, and his grandchildren who he was so proud of during this difficult time, but it also brings me joy to know they have each had the opportunity to learn even more from Sonny than I did.
An honor
It was an honor to care for Reitzel during my time with him at Tel Hai. An amazing family dedicated to the Lord. I am so sorry for your loss which is Heaven’s gain. Now Reitzel and Doris can dance with the angels together.
May God Grant you peace. My
May God Grant you peace. My dad asks me often if I know how your parents are. I found your moms obituary after she passed. He has often asked about your dad as well. He and mom talked so highly of your parents and their love for God and others. He will be sad as well. Your reunion will be sweet!
Reitzel
I just found out of your loss today but would like to send my belated condolences. I first met Reitzel in 1976 and knew immediately he was
an honorable man whom deserved a great deal of trust. He lived a lifetime and witness you should be extremely proud of.
Best Regards,
Jim Harris
HECO Slings Corporation
Norfolk, Virginia