Joseph A. Swingle

Joseph Anthony Swingle, 96, of Frackville passed away Sunday, September 15th, at Lehigh Valley Health Network Schuylkill-East. Joseph was born in Frackville, PA on February 10, 1923, a son of the late Antoinette Alice (Savitsky) Swingle, of Vilna Poland and Charles (Zwinglii) Swingle, of Lithuania.

Predeceased by his parents, first wife Lois Grace (Derr) Swingle, Daughter Beverly Carol Ann Sanko-Mattson, Second Wife Helen Margaret (Morris-Lazer) Swingle, Granddaughter Deneen Lazer, Siblings Bryan, Frank, Edward, Walter, Sopie & Veronica.

He served in the United States Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939-1940 working in Forestry in AZ. He was a veteran of WWII serving 4 years with the U.S. Army before his Honorable Discharge in 1944.

He lived in Frackville most of his life, moved back to Philadelphia to attend Spring Garden Technical Institute 1947-1951, then returned to open Swingle's Garage Body and Fender Shop and Towing which he owned and operated for the next 45 years, during this time he also built and owned the Bel-Air Motel, and dabbled in small business ventures .

He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Frackville for over 70 years and the Knights of Columbus. Joseph enjoyed contributing to St. Joseph's Church and Convent for many years, and was a good friend of both Father Connely and Father Boyle.

Joseph enjoyed 18 years of vacations at Daytona Beach with his first wife Lois & Daughters. He also enjoyed his many trips in the RV with his second wife Helen, traveling across the United States, as well as trips to Ireland.

He is survived by two daughters, Lois, wife of Gary Bair; Maxine Gillespie;

three sons Kenneth, husband of Diane Lazer; Joseph, husband of Carol Lazer & Richard Lazer. Grandchildren Tammy Herb; Wendy Flail, wife of Shawn; Carl Sanko, husband of Jeanine; Jeffrey Sanko, husband of Autumn; David Gillespie, Shawn Lazer, Shelly Knepper wife of Walter, Crystal, and Holly. Several Great and Great-Great Grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's the Worker, Frackville on September 28 at 10:30 AM, Interment at St. Joseph's Church Cemetery, Frackville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Orwigsburg is entrusted with arrangements.

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