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Funeral Service: 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Flora
Visitation: 12 Noon - 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Flora
Charles Stephen Schwaninger, age 77, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Friday, May 16, 2014, at his home in Flora.
Steve was born February 26, 1937, in Columbus, Indiana, the son of Charles Emerson and Jessie Marie Florence (Wilson) Schwaninger. On June 23, 1957, in Columbus, Indiana, he married Beverly Jane Hibbitt. During his college years at Butler University, Steve was active on the swim team and in Phi Delta Theta, but his avid lifetime support as a fan of Indiana University became just as equally familiar as his often-seen license plate, “GOUIU.” After moving to Illinois as part of his position with Lok Products, he was later employed by Sparton Manufacturing in Flora. Together, Steve and Bev became owners of the Ranch Motel and Flora Greenhouse. He served on the Flora school board, was past president of the Flora Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Flora Elks. He was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder and treasurer. Most recently, he and Bev were welcomed into a new church family at the First Baptist Church of Flora where Steve experienced a renewal of his baptism. Steve enjoyed golf and swimming, and took very special interest and pride in his family and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events.
Steve’s family includes: Wife, Bev Schwaninger of Flora; a late son, Stephen Brent Schwaninger; daughters Susan Carrell of Springfield, Tennessee, Shari (Kim) Hamilton of Flora, and Stacy (Les) Higgason of Flora; grandchildren: Stephanie (Ryan) Mitchell, Chad (Bethany) Schwaninger, Bethany (Chet) Stuemke, Gregory Boose, Derek (Hollie) Drew, Karlee Carrell, Jordan Carrell, Heath Hamilton, Stephen (Rosie) Hamilton, Maegan (Heath) Bryan, Shawn (Troy) Kirby, Jeff (Michelle) Higgason, Brent (Jordie) Higgason, Cameron Higgason; great grandchildren: Joanna, Nora, Tysha, Ashlyn, Keatan, Carder, Ayanna, Jaysie, Ma’Liyah, Payton, Presley, Lyndi (Dusty) Thompson, Logan Greenwood, Madison Kirby, Lennon, Maggie, Brooklyn; and a great-great grandchild: Jocelyn. He is also survived by his mother in-law: Irva Hibbitt of Flora; brother in-law: Wendell Hibbitt of Laughlin, Nevada; daughter in-law: Tammy (Bob) Schwaninger Boose of Xenia; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, and brother: Phillip Schwaninger.
Funeral services will be conducted 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2014, at First Baptist Church in Flora. Visitation will be at the church from 12 Noon until the hour of service. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora is caring for the family. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association or a scholarship fund in memory of Steve Schwaninger. An online guestbook is available at www.frankandbright.com.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
Thinking of the family in our prayers, so very hard to loose spouse or a parent. He will definetly be missed in the community.
Our hearts are breaking for your family. Steve was such a good man, and a good friend to so many of us. We will never forget him. Our prayers are with you.
To a family I have known for many years and one man that I truely respected. I have know Shari for many years and her Dad Steve was a great man. He will be missed, youa all our in my prayers.
Bev and family, I am totally shocked in hearing the news about Steve. I do send my sympathy and prayers to all of you. May God grant you strength and courage, along with comfort and peace, in the days ahead.
Bev, Susan, Shari, Stacy, and families, my deepest sympathies to each of you at the loss of your husband, dad, and grandpa. He was a good and kind man, always with a smile, who loved his family dearly. Your loss is great and I will keep each of you in thought and prayer.
Bev, Shari, Susan, Stacy and Families: We are so saddened to hear of Steve's passing. We just loved him. He was so fun, so happy and he ALWAYS had a smile. I know your hearts are heavy and you are hurting. Please know that y'all are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Hold tight to your memories. He will always be with you in your hearts. May God bless all of you.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family. Steve was a sweet man that always had a kind word. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Bev and family. We are so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this trying time.
I am so sorry to hear about this death. My prayers are with all of you. Hold on to your memories. God's love and comfort is there.
Bev and Family Thoughts and Prayers for all .... Steve was an awesome Man ! He will be missed by the whole community .. Everybody loved Him !! I will always remember that sweet smile. RIP Steve
Bev, Susan, Shari and Stacy I know that your hearts are broken today. He was the sweetest man and had the greatest smile. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
We just learned of the loss of Steve about 4:30 P.M. today (May 16). Larry has known Bev and Steve and all the family for many years. We send our love and prayers to Bev and the family. Steve will be missed by many people.
Bev and family, very sorry or your loss. He was a very good man.
We are so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Bev, Susan, Shari, Stacy and family, We were saddened to hear of Steve's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Steve was a kind man with a good heart. He will be missed by many. God's blessing to all of you.
Steve was a wonderful man, very caring and loved his family.... he will truly be missed by many. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you Bev and all your children.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Bev, and family. Steve was a great man and an inspiration and role model. He will always have a special place in my heart. May God comfort you all.
Bev and Family I am so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. He was a wonderful man and always had a nice smile and something positive to say. My heart goes out to you all, I know you were very close, May God be with you in the next few days as you put a fine man to rest.
To the Schwaninger Family - Bev, Susan, Shari and Stacy....you all have been my family all my life and so happy to have been a part of the Presbyterian family that I so greatly miss. I love you all and loved Steve so much. He was there for me as a child more than you ever could know. My heart hurts for each and everyone of you. I love you all...hugs and many many heartful prayers. Love Lisa and family
Prayers for all of you. Steve will be missed in this community, he was known for his 'smile'. Never met a stranger. Always lending a hand when he could and lead you in the right direction.
I am so sorry for your loss. Steve was a good guy. Prayers.
Dearest Bev and Family,Sooo sorry to hear about Steve!He was such a friendly caring man!!!!Such a pleasure just knowing him!!I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew him!!!!Prayers and love to all!
Our deepest Sympathy to the whole family he was a really good guy. Sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. Steve was a wonderful man.
Bev & family our hearts are heavy on hearing the loss of Steve, always a smile & kind word for all who he encountered. Steve & Butch shared time working together at the school , they also played several pranks on one another but through it all became great friends. He will be missed our loss was heavens gain. Prayers for strenght & healing during this diffucult time.
so sorry for your loss , my prayers are with all the family..
So sorry to hear about your loss. May God be with you and your family.
So very sorry for your loss, and pray for you during this time of sorrow.
Bev and Family, We are so sorry for the loss of Steve. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Our prayers are with all of you and should you need anything please let us know. He was a great neighbor and when our paths would cross either mowing our yards or running into him at town, he would always smile and say "Hello Neighb" that I will miss but always remember!
Wishing you comfort and peace as you travel this difficult journey.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
To the entire family, I grew up with all three girls & Bev, you were our Brownie Scout mother for so many years. I am very sorry go hear of your family's loss. Thoughts & prayers are with each one of you.
Bev, Susan,Shari,Stacy, and families. My sympathy and prayers go out to each of you at the loss of this wonderful man. God bless each.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God be with you and provide endless strength and comfort.
Bev and Family, May you find comfort knowing that the Love and Fellowship of family and friends will be with you all now, and in the days to come. Steve was a special friend to many, a supportive Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and one who was ready to help whenever he could. His ready smile will be missed by all who came his way. Larry and Sue; Cheryl and family; Karl and family; Paul and family
Wonderful husband, father, and friend. He did this lifetime right and I will pray for all of you who will miss him so much.
for a man that loved his country,and famly and friends
Heartfelt prayers for your family.
So sorry to learn of Charles' passing. Many happy memories from back in the Schwaninger days of The Ranch era for the Gatewood families and many, many others. Condolences from all the Gatewoods to all the Schwanimgers.
Stacey, Les & Schwaninger Family: We know some family in heaven that are probably talking your dads leg off right now. Rest assured he is in good hands, hold on to all your precious memorys. Love you guys!!!!!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of the family during this most difficult of times. May your aching hearts be comforted by friends, loved ones, and precious memories.
Bev,Susan Shari and Stacy , My heart goes out to you all...Steve was a wonderful man. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers..
What a wonderful man. Prayers for his family that all will find comfort in the memories of the love and life they shared with him.
To: Beverly, We were so sorry to read of your loss today. Haven't talked too any one lately that would have mentioned you guys . We will keep you in our Prayers. Our deepest sympathy.
So sorry for you loss. Thoughts and prayers for all of you.
Shari,Stacy,Susan,Bev and family, We are sorry for your loss.We pray that God's love and all the sweet memories of Steve makes your grief bearable.Love follows us no matter how far.
Bev,&Family may god be with you all in this difficult time, this world needs more people like Steve. Best wishes.
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a great man and he will be missed by many
Bev, Susan, Shari, Stacy --my heart breaks for you. I have so many beautiful memories when we lived by the greenhouse. Your family has always held a very special place in my heart. Steve was a good family man. May God be with you!
Bev, Susan, Shari, Stacy --my heart breaks for you. I have so many beautiful memories when we lived by the greenhouse. Your family has always held a very special place in my heart. Steve was a good family man. May God be with you!
Tammy and Family, I was so sorry to hear about your father-in-law's death. I know you were very close and he was special to each of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you mourn the loss of a truly special man.
So very sorry for your loss. Although we only officially met last year on vacation, I know our families crossed paths many times in the 50s and early 60s when Columbus was a smaller gentler place. That Columbus swim team in Heaven is welcoming an old member they have been missing. Peace to your hearts until we all meet there some day in the future
BEV AND FAMILY ,SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
So shocked to hear the news of Steve's passing. You all are in our hearts and in our prayers. Please remember that God is with you and will be there to help you through this difficult time. Please remember all the great times you had with while he was here.
I am so sorry to hear about Steve. My forever memory of him will be his wonderful sense of humor and genuinely joyful smile. May God’s love and peace surround you during this difficult time.
Steve was such a gentleman and a truly good man. Sending hugs to all.
Dear Bev and family, I was so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. What a wonderful guy, and I can barely remember a time when I didn't know Steve. We went through a lot of years together and had a great time! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My heart breaks thinking I've lost my other dad. I will always remember Steve for his great sense of humor. I don't think anyone could make me laugh like he could. Bev and Steve were just the ultimate couple. He will be loved and missed by everyone. As our standard joke…He's probably in heaven eating all the oreos he wants :) Love all of you and so sorry!!! Jane
Bev and family you are in my prayers. Steve was a very special person. I just found out today. Steve and Bev go together like "Love and Marriage and/or horse and carriage". You all have touched a lot of lives. Janice, Terry, Margie, Tim, and Julie and our whole family
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
