Robert D. Swinford, 73
Saturday, April 23, 2005 1:12 AM EDT
Robert D. Swinford, 73, Peru, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2005, at 4:05 p.m. at St.
Joseph Hospital, Kokomo, surrounded by his loving family following a four-year battle with
cancer.
He was born Sept. 30, 1931 in Marion to Denzil L. and Katherine Howard Swinford. He
married Margaret Eisenman Swinford in the First Christian Church, Peru, on March 14, 1952,
and she survives.
Bob graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1949, and served in the U.S. Navy. His
military decorations include the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service
Medal. He served as a letter carrier with the Postal Service in Peru from 1956 until his
retirement in October 1986; he also owned and operated Bob's Mini Warehouses. He and
his wife Margaret owned and operated the Sonshine Christian Book and Music Center in Peru
from 1982 until 1997.
Bob was a lifelong resident of the Peru and Miami County area; he and his wife, Margaret,
lovingly raised two wonderful daughters. Bob had a huge heart and a great sense of humor.
A man of great faith and integrity, he was a very active member of Parkview United
Methodist Church. He had been active in the Habitat for Humanity of Howard County and
served on the Board of Directors of the Oakwood Park Foundation and the Living Water
Christian Book Store, Kokomo.
He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret; two daughters, Peggy Olson and husband Craig,
and Susie Hubler and husband Charlie, all of Peru; a brother-in-law, Marion Means,
Logansport, a niece, Becky Tomes and husband Tony, Wilmington, N.C.; and a nephew, Dick
Means and wife Jane, Orlando, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, James Swinford; and a sister-in-law,
Annabelle Means.
A service celebrating the life of Robert D. Swinford will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at
Parkview United Methodist Church, 1785 Ind. 19 South, with Pastor Kenneth Walker and Rev.
J. Robert Clark officiating; burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery with military
graveside services provided by members of the Miami County Military Rites Unit. Visitation
will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Eikenberry-Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main St., Peru, and
at the church one hour before the service Monday. Memorial donations may be made to
Parkview UMC, Relay for Life or The Bridge.
Thursday afternoon the Lord said, "Bob, receive your rest," and he was gathered
to his heavenly home.
Robert L. Gable, 82
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 1:06 AM EDT
Robert L. Gable, 82, South Bend, passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at his residence.
He was born on July 19, 1922 in Peru to Walter and Idella (Working) Gable. He married Elsa
E. Griebling in Peru on July 1, 1947, and she preceded him in death on December 18, 1971.
Gable later married E. Elva Bagnara Carlson on October 27, 1972 in Mishawaka, and she
survives.
Gable served in World War II in the U.S. Coast Guard from October 1942 to February 1946,
and in the U.S. Naval Service during the Korean Conflict from September 1950 to May 1954.
He started working for Indiana Bell, now SBC, in Peru in 1947 prior to transferring to
South Bend in 1949. Gable retired on April 26, 1982 as a service supervisor with 33 years
and 11 months service.
He was a member of SBC Telecom Pioneers and former member of South Bend Elks B.O.P.E.
#235, U.S. Navy Memorial and the World War II Memorial. Gable was a member of St. Jude
Catholic Church, South Bend.
Aside from his wife Gable is survived by two sons, Steven R. Gable M.D. and wife Patricia,
South Bend, and Kurt A. Carlson and wife Sonya, Mishawaka; one daughter, Julie Englert and
husband Michael, M.D., South Bend; nine grandchildren; Andrew S. Gable and fiancee Nicole
Slack, Margaret A. Gable, John R. Gable, Emily E. Englert, Jacqueline A. Englert, Kate M.
Englert, Marc A. Carlson, Jessica E. Carlson, Jonathan McCray; two great-grandchildren,
Alexis M. Carlson and Payton A. McCray; one sister, Charlene Hattery and husband Charles,
Peru; one brother, Richard A. Gable and wife Delora, Peru; a sister-in-law, Joan Griebling
Simons, Peru; a brother-in-law, Eugene J. Bagnara and wife Hazel, South Bend; many nieces
and nephews; and a special pet, "Mattie."
He was preceded in death by his parents in 1957; his first wife, Elsa E. Griebling; and a
sister, Dorothy H. Gable on March 10, 2002.
Visitation was April 21 at St. Joseph Funeral Home, South Bend, where a Rosary was prayed
at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was April 22 at St. Jude Catholic Church, with the
Reverend Derrick Sneyd, officiating.
Interment followed at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center
for Hospice & Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.
A special "Thank You" to all of the people at the hospice for their generosity
and kindness.
Loretta A. "Ret" Long, 68
Thursday, April 28, 2005 1:17 AM EDT
Loretta A. "Ret" Long, 68, Carmel, passed away in her home surrounded by family
on Tuesday, April 26, 2005.
She was born Feb. 6, 1937 in Bunker Hill to John J. and Rosemary (Mylet) Comerford.
"Ret" was a 1955 graduate of Bunker Hill High School and class president.
Mrs. Long was a homemaker and a member of Carmel United Methodist Church for 33 years.
"Ret" enjoyed many aspects of life, including planting flowers, tending to her
yard, cheering hardily for her Pacers and Colts, and spending holidays and special times
with her family. Her greatest thrill was attending her grandchildren's sporting
events. "Nana's" hugs and smiles will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jim J. Long; four daughters, Paige N. McClure
and husband Jerry, Kimberly A. Land and husband Bruce, Julie A. Janssen and husband Mike
and Christie L. Blanton and husband David; a son, Jim J. Long Jr.; two sisters, Connie
Kelly and Nancy Youngblood and husband Kenny; two brothers, John Comerford and wife Nancy,
and Nick Comerford and wife Sandy; and her 17 grandchildren, who were the light of her
life, Jonathan, Jason and Megan McClure, Jim III, Nicholas and Allison Long, Chelsea,
Caitlin, McKenzie and Madison Land, Ashley, Jessica, Michael and Jenna Janssen, Amanda,
Andrew and Joshua Blanton.
We will celebrate her life Saturday at 11 a.m. in Carmel United Methodist Church, where
friends may visit with family Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. in the church parlor. Memorial
contributions may be made to St. Vincent's Foundation, Oncology Center. Funeral
arrangements are entrusted to Flanner & Buchanan Funeral Center-Carmel,
www.flannerbuchanan.com.