Charles Lester Swartz , husband of the late Shirley June Roth Swartz, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Thursday morning, August 11, 2022. He was 6 days shy of turning 95. He was born in Spring City, PA, August 17, 1927 to Samuel and Clara (Keen) Swartz. Charles was one of 16 children—10 of which were half siblings.

In 1940, Charles' father was killed in a truck accident. Charles' mother couldn't take care of all the children, so she and 4 of his siblings went to live with his mother's parents, and Charles was taken in by the Norman Kolb Family. He lived In Spring City with the Kolb's helping out on their farm. He attended Vincent Mennonite Church, Spring City.

In 1948 friends introduced Charles to Shirley and they married 9 months later in May of 1949. In 1953 they settled on Green Street, Souderton, until their move to Cherry Lane, Souderton, where they lived for 54 years before their final move to an apartment at the Souderton Mennonite Home. They celebrated 72 years of marriage in May 2021.

Charles' first job was at Moyer & Son Feed Mill. Then he worked at American Olean Tile, Lansdale, from 1951-1969. He then assisted other painting contractors for a couple of years before starting his own painting and paperhanging business. At one time or another, he employed all 3 of his sons. In December of 1992, he retired and his youngest son, Craig, took over the business. During retirement, he delivered pies to local businesses for Dengler's Bakery in Souderton and Landis Supermarket in Telford.

Charles and his family attended Souderton Mennonite Church until 1958 when he was asked to help with a small mission church in Spring Mount. They stayed there until 1979 when they returned to Souderton Mennonite.

Charles had a heart for serving the Lord. He often went to the Bowery Mission in New York to witness to addicts and the homeless. He had a strong, deep relationship with Christ and wasn't shy about sharing the Gospel. He taught Sunday School for many years and was a youth sponsor along with Shirley.

Charles played guitar for many years, and he and Shirley sang in many different settings around the area. At one time, together with Sharon & Gladys Hunsberger, they formed The Living Word Quartet. They sang for several years on the Sunday Noon Bible Hour radio program with a teaching given by Charles' brother-in-law Harry Moyer.

Charles loved to spend time outdoors. Mowing the lawn was one of his favorite things as well as having a vegetable garden. He was handy with making and repairing things and had a workshop set up wherever he lived. He enjoyed reading—especially the Bible, did Word Searches, played some table games, watched Jeopardy & Wheel of Fortune and did volunteering at Care & Share Thrift Shoppes. When his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were small, he entertained them by taking them on wagon rides hooked up to his lawn mower and acting like a kid himself. He was a fun-loving, social person.

Charles and Shirley did lots of camping with their children and had yearly times at Laurelville Reteat Center, Mount Pleasant, PA for Family Week as well as lots of other traveling adventures. As a couple they traveled to Canada, Florida Keys, Holy Lands with Harold Fly in 1985, Austria & Switzerland in 1989 and lots of other trips with Shirley's sister and her husband.

Charles is survived by his 3 children: C. Stephen Swartz (Mary), Sharon "Shari" Nice (Paul) and Craig Swartz (Jayn). Seven Grandchildren: Shannon Childs (Scott), Corey Nice (Angela), Amy Kim (Sung), Bekah Goodland (Daniel), Cody, Bryn and Danae Swartz and 10 Great Grandchildren: Caden, Paige & Maddux Childs; Dillon, Tyler & Ian Nice; Elsa & Micah Kim; Elijah & Elinore Goodland.

He was preceded in death by his parents Samuel & Clara Swartz, his wife Shirley, a son Kevin, a grandson Derek Swartz and 12 siblings.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 at Souderton Mennonite Church, 105 W. Chestnut St., Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed.

Inurnment will take place at Souderton Mennonite Church Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 or The Christian Broadcasting Network, 977 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA, 23463 for Operation Blessing, Orphan's Promise, water wells, etc.

Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com .