Obituary of Merle W. Swarthout

Merle W. Swarthout of Black Creek died January 30, 2009 at his home. Mr. Swarthout was born September 12, 1918 in Paola, Kansas and he was the son of Ward Leslie and Mary Edna Woodard, Swarthout. On July 1, 1944 in Cuba Mr. Swarthout married Elizabeth A. Wood who died on March 11, 1988, latter on June 3, 1989, in Cuba he married Barbara A. Swarthout who died on April 10, 2008. Mr. Swarthout was a 1937 graduate of Wellsville High School and New York State School of Agriculture at Alfred, majoring in Radio and Electricity. He served in the US Navy from 1941-1945 as a fighter pilot and flight instructor, he earned the American Campaign Medal, Air Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign and the WW II Victory Medal. Mr. Swarthout was a member of Our Lady of the Angels in Cuba and St. Bonaventure RCC in Allegany. He was a 64 year member and Past Commander of the Cuba America Legion, the VF 12 US Naval Aviator fighter Pilot. Mr. Swarthout was past local Director of Catholic Charities. He belonged to the Friendship Swingers Square Dance Group, Monitor Roamers, and the Holiday Ramblers Travel Club. Mr. Swarthout served on Cuba Central School Board and the Cuba Village Board. He enjoyed gardening, playing the trumpet, golfing and most of all he enjoyed traveling and camping with family. Surviving Mr. Swarthout are five children, Patricia (Melvin) Bradfuhrer of Lake View, NY., Thomas (Carianne) Swarthout of Hamburg, NY., Teresa (Roger) Shaffer of Warsaw, Ind., Mary (Timothy) Botens of Black Creek, and Michael (Evelio) Swarthout of NY, NY.; 17 grandchildren; 20 great grandchrildren; and many nieces & nephews. Mr. Swarthout was pre-deceased by a brother - Leslie Fay Swarthout on Feb. 26, 1988. Friends will be received on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #24 Genesee Pkwy, Cuba. A Mass of Christian Burial will be in Our Lady of the Angels Church on Tuesday evening Feb. 3, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. The Rev. Richard S. Husted will celebrate. Burial will be in the Our Lady of the Angels Cemetery, Cuba. Memorials may be made to the Catholic Charities or to the donor's choice.