David W. Swartley

David Warren Swartley, 66, of Goshen, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Elkhart General Hospital with family by his side.

He was born in Sellersville, Pennsylvania July 12, 1950 to G. Merrill and Miriam Kulp (Landis) Swartley with Mennonite and Lutheran heritages.  David enjoyed and loved his children, grandchildren, extended family and his dogs, Gracie, Lucy, Molly and Abby “Pigger”.

He also enjoyed gourmet cooking, entertaining friends, writing, listening to classical and all kinds of music.  David was named after his grandfather “Pop-Pop” Warren H. Swartley, with whom he was very close.  Pop-Pop was the only person who ever called his “Davie boy”.  Warren and G. Merrill taught him everything about music.

David was the founder of Jimmy’s Place, a local Christian youth organization.  He was author of two children’s books and numerous newspaper and magazine articles.  At the age of 18, David embraced the Catholic faith and became an Anglican Catholic – the Episcopal Church in 1969.  He was a member of the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint James in South Bend and former member of the Goshen Chamber of Commerce.  He taught 4th grade for eight years at Jefferson Elementary School, clinical teacher at Madison Center, South Bend for two years, former college adjunct instructor at Ivy Tech College, South Bend, formerly taught marketing and public relations seminars at the University of Notre Dame, former Shipshewana Town Manager (CFO) for a year and owned David Swartley Agency (marketing, public relations, and advertising agency) and retired from Swartley Construction and Home Services (remodeling and painting business) in 2015.  He recently worked for Beacon Health System and was a caregiver for the elderly and disabled.

David graduated from Goshen High School, Goshen College and earned a master’s degree from Indiana University South Bend with honors.  He attended the University of Notre Dame not-for-profit business school. He was a conscientious objector and served his country for two years in non-combatant 1-W service in Indianapolis and Franconia, Pennsylvania.

David served two terms as Goshen’s 3rd District City Councilman.

Survivors include his sister, Barbara (Wilma Harder) Swartley, Goshen; brother, G. Alan (Bonnie) Swartley, Brownsbury; son, Christopher (Alex Ratkovich) Swartley, Goshen; daughter, Annie (Nate Smith) Swartley, Kalamazoo, Michigan; step-sons, Kevin Stark, Indianapolis and Scott (Amy) Stark, Gilbert, Arizona; three grandchildren, Samuel, Bella and Hannah Stark; aunt, Arlene Gross, Souderton, Pennsylvania; special friend, Sandra Haberstich, Goshen and former wife, Jane Luke, Goshen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as grandparents, Warren H. and Florence Swartley and Allen and Mattie (Kulp) Landis.

Friends may call Tuesday, May 30, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Friends may also visit Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service at Faith Lutheran Church, 406 S. 5th Street, Goshen.  Pastor John Hickey will officiate.

Cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory.

Memorial contributions may be given to Episcopal Cathedral of St. James, South Bend, Faith Lutheran Church, Goshen or Habitat for Humanity.