Merle Robert Swanson (1934 - 2011)

Born 8 Feb 1934 in Fostoria, Seneca, Ohio, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Charlene Mary (Skidmore) Swanson — married 14 Jan 1956 in Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, United States

Died 7 Jan 2011 at age 76 in Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Sara Rice [send private message]

Biography

Merle was the son of Harold A Swanson and Ruth L Swanson-Venn.^[1] He moved to Battle Creek with his parents around 1936.^[2] He worked 40 years at Swanson's Cookie Company, later renamed Archway Cookies. He retired in the 1980s as Vice President of Sales and Merchandising.

Bud attended Battle Creek Central High School and left school to join the Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. After an honorable discharge from the military, he attended Argubright Business College.

Bud loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, camping, boating and hunting. His hunting buddies always knew he'd be cooking up a large breakfast for them before the morning hunt. He was a hobby farmer who enjoyed growing large vegetable gardens, field crops, maintaining fruit orchards, raising livestock and running a roadside vegetable and pumpkin stand in Bedford.

He played softball, enjoyed bowling, was an avid golfer and loved to travel and attend his children and grandchildren's school and sports activities. He performed volunteer work for the area Catholic Schools, Lion's Club, Boy Scouts, and Little League. Bud was a humble man who expressed generosity to many without seeking recognition; he touched a lot of people's lives.^[3]

Bud married Charlene Mary Skidmore in 1956.^[4] They had 5 children together:

Randy Joseph Swanson 1965-2003

Other children still living

Bud died in 2011^[5] and is buried in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Ancestry.com. Ohio, Birth Index, 1908-1964 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

   Name: Merle R Swanson

   Birth Date: 8 Feb 1934

   Birth Place: Seneca

   State File Number: 1934014509

   Additional Information: Harold

2. ↑ Year: 1940; Census Place: Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan;Roll: m-t0627-01736; Page: 21A; Enumeration District: 13-29.
3. ↑ Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
4. ↑ Battle Creek Enquirer; Publication Date: 15 Jan 1956; Publication Place: Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
5. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2014.

   Name: Merle R. Swanson

   Last Residence: 49014 Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan

   BORN: 8 Feb 1934

   Died: 7 Jan 2011

   State (Year) SSN issued: Michigan (Before 1951)

6. ↑ Find A Grave