- Date Of Birth: March 25, 1937
- Date Of Death: June 3, 2015
- State: Illinois
Richard Arthur Swartzlander, age 78, of Central City, passed away at 12:55 A.M. on Wednesday June 3, 2015 in his home surrounded by his family. He was born March 25, 1937 in Wamac, IL, son of Margie (Wazelle) Swartzlander and Frank J. Swartzlander.
Richard married Nancy Kay Woodward on March 21, 1958 and she survives him. He is also survived by his two sons, Ric Swartzlander of La Crescenta, California, and Brent Swartzlander and his wife Michele of Centralia, his grandchildren, Megan Swartzlander and Claire Swartzlander of La Crescenta, California and Chelsey Swartzlander, Lexi Swartzlander and Jace Swartzlander of Centralia. His sister Darlene Nelson and husband Louis of Centralia, his brother Donnie Swartzlander and wife Phyllis of Bryan, Texas, and sister-in-law Wanda Wernsman of Cumming, Georgia; several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Raymond Swartzlander, an infant daughter, April Lynn Swartzlander, and a son, James Jason “Jace” Swartzlander. Richard was a carman welder for the Illinois Central and Burlington Northern Railroads for thirty years, retiring in 1991. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and flower gardening.
He also loved U.S. history, particularly the history of early Centralia. He was a supporter of the Centralia Historical Society Museum. In the early 1970’s he was a founding Charter Member and on the board of directors for the Raccoon Water Company. He was builder and co-owner of Richmond-Heights Mobile Home Park in Central City along with his brother Raymond. In 2005, Richard was instrumental in having a portion of Broadway in Central City renamed Glenn Champ Way in honor of the former principle and coach at Central City Grade School, a man whom he admired and considered a very positive influence on his early life.
He also created a memorial display for Mr. Champ at the grade school. Besides being a devoted husband and father, “PaPa”, as he was known to his family and close friends, adored his five grandchildren. They were his pride and joy. He rarely missed a ballgame or school event and visited his grand-kids in California as often as he could. Richard was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.
