Rev Ralph Owen Swarthout
Birth: 11 Nov 1937 Edmore, Montcalm County, Michigan, USA
Death: 30 Sep 2020 (aged 82) Lincoln, Logan County, Illinois, USA
Burial: Alma Cemetery, Alma, Marion County, Illinois, USA
Memorial #: 216256703
Bio: LINCOLN - Ralph Owen Swarthout, 82, passed from this life on September 30, 2020 at his home in Lincoln, IL.
Ralph was born on November 11, 1937, in Edmore, Michigan, near his home in Vestaburg, to Merton Sylvester and Violet Fern (Lippert) Swarthout.
His family was instrumental in starting both Rock Lake Christian Assembly and Great Lakes Bible College and Ralph attended both as a young man. He then served in the U.S. Army, including time assisting in the chaplain’s office in Verdun, France. After an honorable discharge, he continued his schooling at Lincoln Christian College (now Lincoln Christian University) in Lincoln, IL, where he met Marva L. Cobb. They were married in Alma, IL on July 25, 1964. After graduating from LCC in 1966, Ralph served churches in various ministerial roles, first in Lexington, KY, where they welcomed daughter Lori; then Crawfordsville, IN; Anderson, IN; Fort Wayne, IN; West Frankfort, IL; Macomb, IL; Vandalia, MO; Clinton, IL and Woodlawn, IL, plus a few interim ministries during retirement.
Ralph often said, "I love Jesus, and I love people!” Everyone knew him for his infectious laugh and big heart. He knew he wasn’t perfect, also favoring the saying, "I’m just one beggar trying to help the other beggars find bread,” the Bread of Life. He specialized in coffee cup evangelism and pastoral carethroughout his life and was also an avid supporter of missions.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Marva; daughter, Lori and her husband, Tracy Thomas; granddaughters, Hannah Thomas and Kathryn (Jarod) Haskell; great-grandson, Ezra and another great-grandchild on the way. Also surviving are his sister, Marjorie Oathout; brother, Glenn (Evelyn) Swarthout; cousin, Andrew (Marcia) Hansen and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother,
Bernard Swarthout; sister, Carol (Marvin) Thrush and brother-in-law, Cliff Oathout.
A family celebration of life will be held at the Alma Christian Church, Alma, IL on Saturday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m., with Andy Hansen and Randy VanAusdall officiating. A graveside service at the cemetery in Alma, IL, open to any who would like to attend, will be held at 1:00 p.m., with Jono Schnautz officiating. Masks and physical distancing will be necessary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Swarthout/Thomas/Haskell Legacy Scholarship established at Lincoln Christian University to benefit earnest (but not necessarily straight-A) students in Ralph’s honor; funds may be sent to LCU, 100 Campus View Dr., Lincoln, IL 62656.
The family would like to thank Safe Haven Hospice for their excellent care throughout this summer, as well as the staff of Osborn Funeral Home, Dix, IL for their friendship with Ralph, in addition to handling arrangements in coordination with the wonderful staff of Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home in Lincoln, IL.
New Herald News (Lincoln, IL) - October1, 2020
Not sure if this is the correct cemetery.
Family Members
Parents
Merton Sylvester Swarthout 1901-1976
Violet Fern Lippert Swarthout 1901-1966
Siblings
Bernard E Swarthout 1927-2011
Gene Lee Swarthout 1939-1939
Created by: Gina (46846562)
Added: 1 Oct 2020
URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216256703/ralph-owen-swarthout
Citation: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/216256703/ralph-owen-swarthout : accessed 21 December 2021), memorial page for Rev Ralph Owen Swarthout (11 Nov 1937–30 Sep 2020), Find a Grave Memorial ID 216256703, citing Alma Cemetery, Alma, Marion County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Gina (contributor 46846562) .
