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Stephen G. Swank, 72, of Reedsville entered into eternal rest from his home on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 with family by his side.
He was born in Morgantown, WV on December 12, 1947, the only son of Robert Meade and Carrie Leona (Goldsmith) Swank, both now deceased. He was graduated in 1965 from Valley High School at Masontown, in 1969 with a Bachelor of Music Degree at WVU, and in 1976 a masters of Arts in Education. A member and later advisor of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was in the ROTC in college and in May 1969 was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, USAR, Air Defense Artillery and was ordered to active duty as a Launcher Platoon Leader of a Nike-Hercules Air Defense Missile Battery at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was an Intelligence/Operations Officer at Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of Viet Nam and awarded a Bronze Star Medal. Steve was a member of the Reedsville United Methodist Church where he served as Organist, Choir Director, and Trustee. Steve was a music teacher. From 1972 - 76 he directed the Band and Chorus at Newburg High School and Fellowsville Junior High. In 1976 he became Band Director at Grafton Middle School and later retired from Taylor County Middle School. He served several years on the Town Council of Reedsville. He was a member and Past Master of Preston Lodge #90 AF&AM in Kingwood and Past Grand Master of Masons in West Virginia. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Morgantown and Wheeling, and Osiris Temple of Wheeling. Steve in addition to being an accomplished cook liked to hike, bike, camp, canoe, fish, and golf. His straight face and dry sense of humor, often misunderstood, will be missed by family and friends.
He is survived by his cousins Debra Swank of Elkins; Cynthia Blakley of Fredericksburg, VA; Tracy Judy of Elkins; Judith Beck of Idaho; Brenda Jorgensen of Couer d’Alene,Idaho; Gerald Watkins of California; and Stanley Sanders of Stuarts Draft, VA.
Friends may call at the Morgan Funeral Home in Reedsville on Friday from 2 – 6 PM and on Saturday January 18th, 2020 in the Reedsville United Methodist Church from Noon until the 1:00 PM funeral service with Rev. Robert Sisler officiating. Military and Masonic Graveside Services will follow at Morgan Memorial Park in Reedsville.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to the Reedsville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 403, Reedsville, WV 26547.
Morgan Funeral Home is honored to assist the Swank family.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Stephen Grant Swank, please visit our floral store.
Reedsville United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 403, Reedsville WV 26547