Raymond Junior Swihart

A Celebration of Life will be held this spring.  Memorials to the Colfax-Mingo Food Pantry or a food pantry of your choice can be sent to the family or left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton.

   Raymond, the son of Walter John and Lois Marie (Adams) Swihart, was born October 31, 1934, in rural Baxter, Iowa. He graduated from Mitchellville High School. Raymond received a B.A. in Business Administration from Iowa Wesleyan College and also obtained his CPA certification.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1960.  Raymond was married to Gloria Bradshaw for 26 years.

   Raymond had worked as a Medicare Auditing Specialist for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 28 years, retiring in 1996.  He was a man of many hobbies, including collecting scrap metal and cans, going to casinos, cheering on the Hawkeyes, collecting books, and traveling the country in his motorhome. Raymond will be remembered for his sense of humor and smart remarks, his gift of penny pinching, and his fondness for Old Milwaukee.

   Raymond is survived by his sister, Carolyn Melloh of Houghton Lake, MI; stepson, Mark Miner of Des Moines; grandson, Zachary Miner (Kelsey) of Grimes; nieces, Terrie Tomlonovic (Pat) of Colfax and Tammie Lines (Gary) of West Des Moines; nephews: Greg Melloh (Sherri) of Des Moines, Jeff Melloh (Lori) of Houghton Lake, MI, David Melloh (Bethanne) of Houghton Lake, MI, and David Lee Reynolds of rural Mitchellville; and his great nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Merle Ray Miner; brother, John Max Swihart; sister, Bette Reynolds; sister-in-law, Betty Swihart; and brother-in-law, David Melloh.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Junior Swihart, please visit our floral store.