Samuel H. Swartzbaugh, age 93 of West Salem, IL passed from this life on March 5, 2021 at his home.
Sam was born in Bone Gap, IL on July 30, 1927 to Walter and Gertrude (Koertge) Swartzbaugh.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Herta, of 48 years and grandson Samuel James Swartzbaugh.
Surviving are his children, Ted, Francine Ruiz, Brian (Helen), Martin (Marla), Daniel and Bettina (Paul) Carrell, 15 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Also surviving is a cousin, Loretta Buckles, who was more like a sister to him.
Sam joined the Coast Guard in 1945 and served on the USS Knoxville, patrolling the mid-Atlantic. He enlisted in the Army in 1949 where he served as a mechanic, fuel man, crane operator and medical equipment inspector until 1972. After his retirement from the Army, he and Herta moved back to West Salem where he lived until his death. Sam worked at Champion Laboratories as well as being a bus driver for the Edwards County School District.
His hobbies included gardening, working on his vehicles, buying, selling and working with his many Allis Chalmers tractors and telling stories and tales of years past.
Graveside services will be held at 10AM on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at the West Salem Moravian Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted. Memorials may be made to your local VFW.
Online condolences may be left for his family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com
Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of West Salem is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.