Obituary of Raymond J. Swartz

Of Mt. Morris, Raymond was guided by God's loving hand through life and death. It was a blessed journey of just about 92 years. He died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at Genesys Hospice Care Center. The funeral service will take place 10:00 am, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at the Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Mt. Morris. Chaplain Tom Beachy will officiate with burial to follow in Mt. Morris Cemetery. Raymond's family will be present at the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services on Sunday, May 27, 2012, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Monday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On Tuesday Raymond will be taken to church to lie in state from 9:00 am until time of service at 10:00 am. Those desiring may direct memorial contributions to Genesys Hospice Care Center or Forgotten Man Ministries (Genesee County Jail Ministries.) Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. Raymond was born May 27, 1920, in Turner, Michigan, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Sarah (Jantzi) Swartz. He and Anna Mae Byler were united in marriage December 25, 1948 in Pigeon, Michigan. Raymond enjoyed his vocation as Pastor at Mt. Morris Mennonite Church for 34 years before retiring in 1985 and loved his vocation as bee keeper for 65 years. His aging days were spent watching the bee's activity. Raymond enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bee keeping, reading, carpentry, gardening, taking care of yard work. He loved people and communicating with them about Jesus. Left to cherish his memory are wife of 63 years, Anna Mae. God rewarded Raymond and Anna Mae with 9 children, Lois Jean (Marcos) Orozco, Joseph Jesse (Kathy) Swartz, Ray Douglas (Pam) Abbot Swartz, Jewel Marie (Bruce) Martin, Stephen Paul (Phyllis) Swartz, Rosann Agnes Gingerich, Mark Andrew (Mary) Swartz, Matthew Alan (Veia) Swartz, Timothy James (Margaret) Swartz; two loving foster children, Lori Ann Hamel and Dorell Coates; 20 special grandchildren; 12 cute great-grandchildren; two siblings, Violet Fritz and Dave Swartz and many nieces, nephews and friends. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters.