Richard Swartz

Richard H. "Dick" Swartz, 75, of Carlisle, went home to be with his Lord unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011.

Born on June 13, 1936, in Carlisle, he was the son of the late Lewis and Dora (Cornman) Swartz.

On Sept. 20, 1958, Dick married Mary L. "Lucy" Swartz in the Beaver Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dick graduated from Carlisle Area High School in 1954. He then entered military service in the spring of 1955, spending two years in the National Guard before completing four years in the Marine Corps. While in the Marines, he was stationed in Jacksonville, Fla., where he met his future wife. He served at various stations overseas before returning and marrying Lucy. After his honorable discharge from the military in March 1959, he returned to his native Carlisle, working various jobs before becoming a business owner. He owned Dick's Gulf Service Center (Kwikway), The Buggy Bath Car Wash and Fox's Pizza, as well as various residential properties and other business ventures he was involved with until his death.

One of Dick's greatest joys in life was spending time with family. He enjoyed taking trips to Florida to visit his brother Lew and family, and Lucy's family as well. Dick enjoyed fishing trips, hunting and their summer trailer at Rehoboth Beach, Del. He was also an avid automobile enthusiast. Dick was a member of Carlisle Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary L. "Lucy" of Carlisle; three daughters, Dottie L. (Mark) Wettstein, Karen L. (Kenneth) Stum and Amy S. (John) Bitner, all of Carlisle; a brother Lewis E. (Hazel) Swartz of Orlando, Fla.; four grandchildren, Nathan Richard (Cassandra) Davis, Kendra Lee (Chris) Long, Kyle Lewis Stum and Zachary Mark Wettstein, all of Carlisle; and many nieces and a nephew.

Dick was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Shatto in March 2005.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, in the Hoffman Roth Funeral Home & Crematory, 219 N. Hanover St., Carlisle. Pastor Ed Roman will officiate. Viewings will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, and at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, at the funeral home prior to services. Burial will be in the Waggoners United Methodist Church Cemetery, 1271 Longs Gap Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carlisle Baptist Church Improvement Fund, 701 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.