Phyllis E. Swinn, age 87 of 29 E. Lincoln Ave. in Gettysburg, passed away Friday June, 13, 2014 at the Genesis Gettysburg Center on York Rd. Born April 17, 1927 near Gettysburg, she was the daughter of the late George A. Eiker and Nellie F. Crouse Eiker. She was married for 58 years to Clarence 'Pete' M. Swinn Jr. of Gettysburg who died January 17, 2004. She was also predeceased in death by an infant son and her sister Carrie Eiker Yost of Mont Alto, PA.


Mrs. Swinn was a 1945 graduate of Gettysburg High School where she volunteered as an observer before school her senior year at the United States Army Aircraft Warning Service Station located above the bank building on the square. Immediately upon graduation she moved to Washington, DC and worked for the United States Treasury Department in the War Finance Program. With the end of World War II, she returned to Gettysburg and worked as a telephone switchboard operator for The United Telephone Company of PA. She was married on December 21, 1946 after her husband to be who was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army returned from the Philippines following the wars end. She worked for the Gettysburg Area School District from 1967 to 1985 primarily as a teacher aide and secretary at Meade School on Buford Ave. She traveled extensively throughout the country with her family and enjoyed camping, boating and attending flea markets. She and her husband were avid collectors of local Native American artifacts in the 1950 and 60's and she had studied and acquired an extensive library on American Indian history and culture. In the 1990's they both volunteered for Adams County Television filming school programs as well as features on local notables including Col. Jacob Sheads, Bill Ridinger, Walt Powell, noted Civil War Sculptor Ron Tunison and several senior programs. She and her husband were lifelong members of St. James Lutheran Church at 109 York St. in Gettysburg.

She is survived by three sons, a daughter and their families including eight grandchildren and a great grandson. Her sons who live in Gettysburg are Craig M. Swinn, his wife Sarah and their children Craig M. Swinn Jr. of Greenville, NC and daughter Julia M. Swinn of Durham, NC; Carl T. Swinn, his wife Carla and their sons Tyler K. Swinn and Caleb J. Swinn both of Gettysburg; Scott P. Swinn, his wife Chris and daughter Amy E. Swinn of Lancaster and son Andrew P. Swinn of Gettysburg. Her daughter Sheryl A. Allen of Gardeners, PA. and husband Keith have a daughter Kristi L. Allen of Fairfield and son Kenneth M. Allen of Westminster, MD. Her great grandson is Gabriel A. Kent, son of Kristi Allen.


A private funeral service will be held at Peters Funeral Home on Carlisle St. in Gettysburg on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 followed by burial at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Gettysburg. Online tributes and condolences can be made by clicking on "sign guest book" above.



In lieu of donations, she would want those who remember her to get together with their families for a dinner out which was one of her most cherished activities.