Mary Louise Lapp Swartley

Mary Louise Lapp Swartley died December 11, 2024 in Hesston, KS. She was the second of nine children born to John Edwin Lapp and Edith Nyce Lapp in Lansdale, PA, on October 4, 1934.

Mary married Willard Myers Swartley on August 16, 1958 at Plains Mennonite Church in Lansdale, PA.

Mary graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School in 1952, from Eastern Mennonite University in 1957 with a BA in Business Education, and from James Madison University in 1978 with an MS in Business Education.

Faith was important to Mary and she chose to be baptized at age 12 at her home church, Plains Mennonite Church. She lived that faith out with her family, in her church involvements, and her professional career.  She taught business classes and physical education at Christopher Dock High School, Lansdale, PA; Eastern Mennonite High School and University, Harrisonburg, VA; and Bethany Christian High School, Goshen, IN.  Additionally she was Assistant Director of Admissions at Eastern Mennonite University and Interim Principal at Bethany Christian High School.

Mary served on several church wide boards including Everence and Indiana Michigan Conference. She was co-editor of the book “She Has Done A Good Thing” and wrote her own memoir “My Treasured Hopes My Four Score Years+”.  She and Willard enriched and blessed countless people beyond the immediate family. They traveled extensively in the US and around the world with many of their travels focused on church events or teaching opportunities.  They hosted many international students, friends, and family in their home.  Mary loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed reunions and time spent with them.  She took a special interest in each of her children and grandchildren. In her final years she lit up each time she saw her great-grandson.

In her spare time Mary had many hobbies. She was very athletic and as a young woman won trophies for tennis and volleyball competitions. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, cross stitching, and knitting.

Mary and Willard were longtime members at Belmont Mennonite Church, Elkhart, IN, where Mary served many roles.  Visitation will be February 23, 2025 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Yoder Culp Funeral Home in Goshen, IN.  A memorial service will be held on February 24, 2025 at 11:00 am at Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart, IN.

Mary is survived by daughter Louisa (Gary) Oyer, of Hesston, KS, with grandchildren John (Saralyn) Oyer, Hesston, KS with great grandson Clay; Michael (Mary) Oyer, Smithville, OH; son Kenton (Emily) Swartley of Cedar Falls, IA;  with grandchildren Kristen Swartley (Luis Tapia Rubio), Portland, OR with great granddaughter Gabriela Swartley-Rubio; Jeremy Swartley, Cedar Falls, IA; Jamie Swartley, Portland, OR; Michelle (Dane) Mettert, Chicago, IL.  Her surviving siblings include James Lapp (Mim Book) of Lititz, PA, Daniel Lapp of Lansdale, PA, Joseph (Hannah) Lapp of Harrisonburg, VA, Sara (Noah) Kolb of Lansdale PA, Ruth (Ronald) Guengerich of Goshen, IN, Rhoda Lapp of Stone Mountain, GA.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents John and Edith Lapp, husband Willard Swartley, granddaughter Jessica Swartley, and brothers John A. Lapp and Samuel Lapp.

Memorial contributions may be made to the “Willard and Mary Swartley Scholarship Fund” at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN, the “Bethany Fund” at Bethany Christian Schools, Goshen, IN, or a charity of your choice.

Wiggins Funeral Homes and Yoder-Culp Funeral Home are assisting with arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared at www.wigginsfuneralhomes,com or www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com.