Pastor Merl J. Swayze, Sr., 76, of rural Erie, died at 1:19 a.m., Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
He was born May 20, 1933, in Parsons, to Everett W. and Lilly May (Beasley) Swayze. He grew up in Parsons, Toponas, Colorado, and Michigan.
From 1953-1955, he served in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Parsons where he worked at Jarboe Feedlot and later as a machinist at Ankortite/Dayton Superior for 30 years. He also had served as pastor at the Excelsior House of Prayer for 30 years.
Through the years he served as Boy Scout Master, coached baseball and softball teams for 25 years including Open Bible Church and Excelsior House of Prayer softball teams, and ministered at the Neosho County Jail. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, painting, telling stories, spending time with his family and sharing his love of the Lord.
He and Catherine L. Dixon were married September 6, 1953, at the Open Bible Church in Parsons.
Survivors include:
Wife – Catherine Swayze of the home
Two Sons – Merl James Swayze, Jr. and wife, Becky Parsons, KS
Rocky Swayze and wife, Gaylene Erie, KS
Five Daughters – Brenda A. Elsworth and husband, Michael Erie, KS
Robin Fuentez and husband, Joe Parsons, KS
Rhonda G. Murphy and husband, Thomas Altamont, KS
Missy Page and husband, Rob Oswego, KS
Bambi Swayze Parsons, KS
Gene Gilley - raised in the family home
Twenty-One Grandchildren
Fifteen Great-Grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Vera Ellis.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at the Excelsior House of Prayer. Burial will be on the family farm. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Excelsior House of Prayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Excelsior House of Prayer. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pastor Merl J. Swayze, Sr., please visit our flower store.
He was born May 20, 1933, in Parsons, to Everett W. and Lilly May (Beasley) Swayze. He grew up in Parsons, Toponas, Colorado, and Michigan.
From 1953-1955, he served in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Parsons where he worked at Jarboe Feedlot and later as a machinist at Ankortite/Dayton Superior for 30 years. He also had served as pastor at the Excelsior House of Prayer for 30 years.
Through the years he served as Boy Scout Master, coached baseball and softball teams for 25 years including Open Bible Church and Excelsior House of Prayer softball teams, and ministered at the Neosho County Jail. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, painting, telling stories, spending time with his family and sharing his love of the Lord.
He and Catherine L. Dixon were married September 6, 1953, at the Open Bible Church in Parsons.
Survivors include:
Wife – Catherine Swayze of the home
Two Sons – Merl James Swayze, Jr. and wife, Becky Parsons, KS
Rocky Swayze and wife, Gaylene Erie, KS
Five Daughters – Brenda A. Elsworth and husband, Michael Erie, KS
Robin Fuentez and husband, Joe Parsons, KS
Rhonda G. Murphy and husband, Thomas Altamont, KS
Missy Page and husband, Rob Oswego, KS
Bambi Swayze Parsons, KS
Gene Gilley - raised in the family home
Twenty-One Grandchildren
Fifteen Great-Grandchildren
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Vera Ellis.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at the Excelsior House of Prayer. Burial will be on the family farm. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Excelsior House of Prayer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Excelsior House of Prayer. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pastor Merl J. Swayze, Sr., please visit our flower store.
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