Charles Edgar Swomley

Mr. Charles Edgar Swomley, 88, formerly of Walkersville and more recently of Frederick died on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. He was husband of Dorothy Brunner Swomley who died on December 17, 2001, they were married for 63 years.

Born in Frederick on October 22, 1918, he was the son of the late Harry H. Swomley, Sr. and Nellie Remsberg Swomley.

After graduating from Frederick High School and while working on the family farm, (now the Clustered Spires Golf Course), Charles met a pretty farm girl who lived on Gas House Pike. Charles and Dorothy were married in 1938, and started a life together, devoted to each other and their church.

Charles was a dairy farmer in the Walkersville area where he purchased a neglected farm and transformed it into a Glade Valley showplace farm. While dairy farming, Charles served terms on the Board of Directors and as President of the Board for Southern States Frederick Cooperative and Southern States Woodsboro Cooperative. He also served as a director on the Southern States Frederick Petroleum Board. Charles was nominated twice by his peers to run for director of the Southern States Corporate Board in Richmond, VA. While living in the Walkersville area, he was a member and Past President of the Glade Valley Lions Club, a member of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company, an early member of the Glade Valley Athletic Association and Vice President of the Walkersville Elementary PTA. Mr. Swomley was also a member of the Maryland and Virginia Milk Produces Cooperative, the Maryland and Virginia Bull Stud Cooperative and the Frederick County DHIA.

After selling his farm and retiring from dairy farming, he was employed for 19 years with Southern States Frederick Cooperative.

Charles was a baptized Christian and a loyal and devoted member of the Frederick Church of the Brethren for over 70 years. He had served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, Church Treasurer, church Trustee and member of the Finance Board. His most satisfying and rewarding service was that of Deacon for more than 60 years.

Charles was a man of character. The two most important thing in his life were, devotion to his family and devotion to his church. He did both of them well.

He is survived by a son, Wayne Swomley and wife Jean of Frederick, a daughter, Jean and husband Dr. Fauradoon Irani of Front Royal, VA; granddaughter Lisa Garver and husband Rob of Springfield, VA, grandson, Michael Irani and wife Stephanie of Charlottesville, VA, granddaughter, Shannon Berg of Ellicott City; great grandsons Ryan and Andrew Garver of Springfield, VA; two sisters: Ruth Lugar of Homewood and Charlotte Mathews of Frederick; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mr. Swomley was preceded in death by sisters: Thelma Coblentz, Anna Hall and Helen Summers; and a brother, Harry Swomley, Jr..

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Monday, December 11, at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick.

Services: Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 12, at the Frederick Church of the Brethren, 201 Fairview Ave., Frederick with Senior Pastor Paul Mundey and former Assistant Pastor, Lerry Fogle officiating.

Interment will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick with grandson Michael Irani, grandson-in-law Rob Garver and nephews Richard Swomley, Kenneth Swomley, Dave Swomley and Ernie Haines serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Crum, Earl Duncan, George Clayton Stauffer, and members of the Mens Bible Class and Deacons of the Frederick Church of the Brethren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Deacon's Fund at Frederick Church of the Brethren, 201 Fairview Ave., Frederick, MD 21701.