Francis H. Swisher

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Francis H. Swisher, 91, of Downingtown, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2011, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy Neuhauser Swisher, with whom he celebrated 68 years of marriage this past May.

Born in Parkesburg on November 29, 1920, Francis was the son of the late George H. and Alta Sweigert Swisher. He lived and attended school in Coatesville.

He proudly served as a U.S. Army sergeant during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater of War with the 102nd Bomb Disposal Squad, receiving the Bronze Star, Presidential Citation, and Pacific Theater Ribbon with three stars. He was in Tokyo when the treaty with Japan was signed.

Francis has lived in Downingtown since 1949. He and his wife started the F.H. Swisher Plumbing and Heating business in 1962 in Downingtown, PA, which will celebrate 50 years in 2012. Before that, he worked for the late Snyder Brothers Plumbing and Heating of Downingtown for 18 years.  Francis and his wife retired in 1990, but the family business continues to be carried on by there two sons, three grandsons and faithful employees.

He was a member of the Downingtown United Methodist Church since 1952, where he served as a Trustee, a member of the finance and building committies of the new church, and the administration board.

Mr. Swisher was past president of the Optimist Club of Downingtown and received the certificate of achievement and outstanding leadership award. He worked with the late Cress Shoemaker and helped coordinate July 4th Good Neighbor Day in Kerr Park when it was sponsored by the Optimist Club. He also was one of the men who helped design and build the Optimist Pavilion in Kerr Park.

He was a member of the Downingtown Chamber of Commerce since 1962 and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He was awarded the Downingtown Citizen of the Year Award in 1994.

He served on the Downingtown Borough Planning Commission Board from 1962-1975 and was awarded the certificate of faithful public service from the Downingtown Borough.

Mr. Swisher helped distribute toys and food to the needy at Christmas for many years in Downingtown. He was listed in the First Edition of Who’s Who In Chester County 1980-1981 edition. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Downingtown Post #845; Williamson Lodge #309, F&AM. of Downingtown, member and past director of Brandywine Shrine Club, Rajah Temple of Reading, Chester County Club of Reading Consistory, Scottish Rite Valley of Reading, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Forest of Coatesville, Past President of Fraternal Order of Eagles #467, Life member of Minquas, West End and former Brandywine Fire Companies and the Peqasus Travel Club of Harrisburg.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Swisher is survived by his two sons, Jeffrey F. and his wife, Cynthia, and Joel F. and his wife, Donna; six grandchildren, Tammy Kuhn and her husband, Tom, April Tyree and her husband, Steven, Tim Swisher, Andrew Swisher and his wife, Christina, Erik Swisher, and Holly Hupp and her husband, Nick; seven great grandchildren, Ryan and Justin Kuhn, Brooke and Shane Tyree, Jace Swisher, Ryen “Rue” Hupp, and Brayden Swisher; two step grandchildren, Matthew Duca and Jennifer Musselman and her husband, Brian; and five step great grandchildren, Logan and Dalton Musselman, Michael, Noah, and Preston Duca.

An evening visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Monday, December 5th at the James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown. A Masonic service will be held at 7:45 PM

Funeral service will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, December 6th at Downingtown United Methodist Church, 751 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335, where family and friends may call from 9 – 10:30 am.

Interment will be in Bellevue Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Gap.

Memorial contributions can be made to Neighborhood Hospice, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380, Williamson Lodge # 309, 210 Manor Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335 or the Downingtown United Methodist Church at the above address.

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