Stephen G. Swank, 72, of Reedsville, entered into eternal rest from his home on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, with family by his side.
He was born in Morgantown, on Dec. 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 Master 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. He directed the Band and Chorus at Newburg High School and Fellowsville Junior High from 1972-76. he became Band Director at Grafton Middle School in 1976 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 Calif.; and Stanley Sanders, of Stuarts Draft, Va.
Friends may call on Saturday Jan. 18, 2020, in the Reedsville United Methodist Church from noon until the 1 p.m. funeral service with the Rev. Robert Sisler officiating. Military and Masonic Graveside Services will follow at Morgan Memorial Park.
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 serve the Swank family.
Condolences:
www.morganfuneralhomewv.com
