Merle S. Swope

Merle S. Swope, 89, of York died Thursday January 10, 2019. He was the husband of the late Nola (Walker) Dunnick Swope. Merle was born to Cyrus and Grace (Lehman) Swope in Shanks Ferry PA in Chanceford Township. Merle was a co-owner of Swope Bros. Custom Spraying, and he also did landscaping and yard work. He retired after 35 years with Edgecomb Metals in York, PA. He was an Army veteran and served 2 years in Germany in the 9th infantry division as an 81mm mortar man. Merle always told jokes and made everyone laugh. He was an avid hunter and trapper and held memberships with the NRA, The National Trappers Association, Pennsylvania Trappers Association, and the Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church. Merle loved spending time with his family and loved being “Pappy” to his grandson Bryan Boyer and granddaughters Jamie Fisher, Kristie Lebo, and Allison Leiphart. Also surviving Merle are his 2 step-daughters Gloria Boyer and her husband Robert, and Shirley Wright and her husband Michael; one brother Carl Swope and three sisters Thelma Gemmill, Arlene Hanes and Lois Miller. He was preceded in death by six brothers Kenneth, Elwood, Clyde, Lester, Dale and John Swope and three sisters Charlotte Zink, Treva Myers and Miriam Haugh. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 11AM from Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church, 5890 Steltz Rd., Glen Rock with Rev. John C. Dorr, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery. Viewings will be held Tuesday evening from 6-8PM at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc, 24 N. Second St. New Freedom and from 10AM until the time of his service at the Church on Wednesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Steltz Reformed Church at the above listed address.