Thursday, January 17, 2013
My memories of my Aunt Marilea are not as many as I would have liked since I have always lived so far away from my fear family. But the ones I have are sweet. I remember the Steidel's hosting a reunion at their home in 1975 where we got to get together. She was always so loving and gracious to everyone. She was always so happy to see me even though being apart for decades at a time. Once I was doing an on-line search for the Swiger family. (Marilea was my father's (Arthur R. Swiger Jr.) sister) I found many newspaper articles about a youth group she led as a teenager in Coolville, OH. She was a real leader and had an impact on the community even then. As I entered the ministry myself she supported me financially every month. I know at a great personal sacrifice as money would be tight at times. Most of all I am grateful for her prayers. I know when she could not get out much she still served Christ in prayer. She had a great love of family. Her brothers and sisters remained close all their lives. I know her great love and devotion to her husband and children as most of her prayer requests were for me to pray for them.
She was a being filled with the love of God and she will be missed. We will all be together soon at the marriage supper of the lamb. Love, Mark "Buddy" Swiger
