Ashland - Louis E. Swatski, 74, of 2300 Spruce Street, passed away Friday, March 1, 2019, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, surrounded by his loving family.

Louis was born and raised in Kulpmont on October 21, 1944. He was the son of Anthony and Anna (Zarlinski) Swatski. Louis started his first job at age eight (8) delivering newspapers. When he turned sixteen (16), he started his career at Acme Markets while attending Mount Carmel Catholic High School from which he graduate in 1962. While working at the Mount Carmel Acme, he met his sweetheart, Ruth Ann Lindner, whom he married on September 2, 1967, at Saint Casimir's Church in Kulpmont.

Louis and Ruth lived briefly in Harrisburg before returning to Mount Carmel. In his twenties, Louis attended McCann's School of Business and served in the Army Reserves for 10 years as a Specialty 5. During that time, he also became a store supervisor for Acme Markets, where he proudly worked for his entire career. Louis enjoyed greeting customers at the store and becoming involved in the community.  He was a member of Divine Redeemer Church, the American Legion, Ashland ELKS, American Hose Co. of Ashland, Knights of Columbus Third Degree Mount Carmel, and he served as the Vice President of the Ashland Borough Council for several years, the President of the Ashland Kiwanis Club and the Chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee. He was passionate about improving local parks so that kids had a safe place to play.

Louis loved to travel and enjoyed spending time with friends, neighbors and his faithful dog, Jake. Louis could be found having breakfast each day with his friends at local restaurants discussing the latest political news, sports and NASCAR racing. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.

Louis is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann; daughter, Michelle and her husband Eric Ober of Ellicott City, MD, and daughter, Susan and her husband Scott Lebson of Pennington, NJ; four grandchildren, Jared Ober, Olivia Ober, Matthew Lebson, and Luke Lebson; sister, Mary Ann Yocum of Bloomsburg; a sister-in-law, Marie Swatski of OH; a niece and cousins. Louis was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Anthony Swatski.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Louis E. Swatski, 74, of 2300 Spruce Street, Ashland - Viewing will be held at C.J. Lucas Funeral Home, 27 North Vine Street, Mount Carmel on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. with Rosary at 7:45 p.m. and Thursday, March 7, 2019 from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Protestant communion will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. with Reverend Dana Biel on Thursday and Catholic Transferal Prayers will commence at 10:00 a.m. with Father Ryan Fischer at the funeral home.  Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, March 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in Divine Redeemer Church, 300 West Third Street, Mount Carmel, with Father Ryan Fischer, officiating.  Entombment will be held in All Saints Cemetery, Elysburg.  In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to Saint Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memorial & Honor Program, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-1905. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.cjlucasfuneralhome.com.