Stephen Farrell Swihart

Goshen-Stephen “Steve” Farrell Swihart, 62, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes Thursday, November 9.

He was born March 12, 1961, in Elkhart to Keith and Janet (Farrell) Swihart and was a lifelong Goshen resident.

Steve was a beloved son, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend to many.  He is survived by his two children, Aimee Swihart, Goshen and Nathan (Ashley) Swihart, Elkhart; three grandchildren, Wyatt, Alivia and Ellie; two brothers, Rob (Rebecca) Swihart and David (Mindi) Swihart, both of Goshen and five nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A graduate of both Goshen High School and Goshen College, Steve was a gifted athlete, beloved teacher and coach.  He has the distinction of being the only person to have both played and coached on a Goshen football team to win a State Championship.  Steve was a captain and MVP of the 1978 State Championship Goshen football team.  He was an assistant coach for the 1988 State Championship team and the 1999 runner-up State Championship team.

Steve was named to the Indiana football 1st team all-state team in 1978 on both offense and defense.  He was also an outstanding baseball player at Goshen High School where he was named to the all-conference team as both a junior and senior and was the NLC leading hitter.  Steve was also an outstanding fastpitch softball player, going to the national finals several times.

A veteran teacher, Steve’s teaching career of 30+ years, included teaching at Whiteman Jr. High School and Goshen Middle School.  His coaching career at Goshen, in addition to football, included head golf coach and an assistant coach for wrestling and baseball.  He had a huge positive influence on the many kids he coached and taught.  He loved working with kids and they knew he loved them.

Steve coached his son and daughter on the Goshen Storm and Indiana Thunder travel baseball and softball teams.  He was a founding member and currently serving as president of the Goshen Gridiron Club.  In 2012 Steve was named to the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame and in 2022 he received the Northern Lakes Conference Outstanding Service Award for his years of coaching and leading young athletes.

His other interests included the band KISS, NASCAR, golf, and trivia nights with family and friends.  As a grill master he enjoyed cooking for family get togethers.  But his primary joy in life was spending time with his children.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 12 to 6 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  A private family funeral service will be held on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Goshen Gridiron Club, 130 N. Main St., Goshen or Elkhart County Humane Society.