B. J. Swonger age 88, of 702 Beechwood Lane in Celina, Ohio passed away at 11:39p.m. on Jan 1, 2016 at home with his family. He was born on September 7, 1927 in Johnson City, TN to the late Cecil C. & Winnie Fee (Jared) Swonger. On June 1, 1952 in St. Mary's, Ohio he married Mary Belle Helmstetter, who died on April 29, 2014. Survivors include his two sons & daughters-in-law Bruce & Kim Swonger, Scott & Mary Swonger, his daughter & son-in-law Shawn & Mike Dues all of Celina, 7 grandchildren Annie Mir, Alissa Mir, Christopher Mir, Benjamin Swonger, Christian Swonger, Ethan Swonger, and McKenna Swonger, 3 step-grandchildren Erin Zimmerly, Adam Dues, Alex Dues, sisters-in-law Jean Helmstetter of St. Marys, Nancy Zumberge of Celina. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sue Ann Swonger, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ferd & Mary Helmstetter and a brother-in-law Norman Zumberge.
B. J. graduated from St. Marys Memorial High School with the Class of 1945. Then, he graduated from The Ohio State University in 1949, and became a life member of the OSU Alumni Association in Columbus and the Mercer County Chapters. He was also a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Social Fraternity at OSU. B. J. owned multiple companies in the waste management industry and was a member of the National Board of Directors of the National Solid Waste Management Association. He served as the Indiana State Chairman of the National Solid Waste Management Association and received the National Distinguished Service Award in 1999. B. J. was a member of the St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina, Ohio where he served on the Chairman of Staff Parish Committee, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, Administrative Board, Church & Society Committee and as a Chairman of Trust & Accounts Committee. He was a part of the Mercer County Masonic Lodge #121, F & AM, Royal Arch Masons Chapter #51, Royal & Select Masters Council #81, All of St. Marys-Sidney Commandry K.T. #46 in Sidney, Ohio, Aug-Mer Shrine Club, Aug-Mer 32nd degree Club, Antioch Temple of Dayton, Ohio. B. J. also belonged to the Mercer County Elks, Order of Moose Lodge, one of the founding fathers of the St. Marys Jay Cees and the St. Marys Toastmasters Clubs. He was also a former member of the St. Marys Rotary Club and the Celina Sertoma Club.
B.J. was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed travelling the world with his wife, family and friends, meeting new people, and sharing his life experiences with those whose lives he touched.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30a.m. on Thursday January 7, 2016 at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina, with the Rev. Matt Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Marys. Friends may call from 2-8p.m. on Wednesday January 6, 2016 at the Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home in Celina and 1 hour before services at the Church on Thursday. Masonic Lodge services will be held at 8p.m. on Wednesday Jan. 6, 2016 Memorial contributions may be made to the Antioch Shrine Temple. Condolences may be left at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.
