Phillip Ronald Swearingen, age 74 of Hanover, left this earth on September 25, 2024, to be with his family in heaven.
He was born on March 22, 1950, in Marysville, the son of Clarence and Dorothy Swearingen.
Phillip was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. He was a scout dog handler with the 48th Infantry 19b Brigade in Vietnam. Three days after returning home to Hanover to live with his dad and sister, he met his best friend and wife of 52 years, Charlotte. To them, four sons were born.
Phillip loved to play softball. He played for years with the “Barnes Blues” team with the nickname, “Scrap Iron.” He was a great bowler too. While living in Las Vegas, he won several awards for his perfect 300 games. After moving back from Nevada, he bowled with the Napco boys. He worked for Landoll Corporation until he retired. In his retirement years, he drove a preschool bus for U.S.D. 233 and was on the Hanover City Council.
He was a man who loved animals, caring for sick and stray cats, finding homes for many of them. He was called the “Cat Whisperer.”
He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Swearingen; three sons, Brian Swearingen (Sheila) of Hanover, Timothy Swearingen (Jody) of Wymore, Nebraska, and James Swearingen (Jeri) of Hanover; two sisters-in-law, Patty Lantz of Beatrice, Nebraska, and Emma Daedler (Jerry) of Blue Springs, Nebraska; one brother, Mick Swearingen (Alice) of Waterville; his grandchildren, Catin, Andrea, Brentyn, Becca, Zaide, Brianna, Kaidyn, Fatima, Wyatte, Zarina, Linzy, Katie, Chevy, Kailey, Oasis, Chance, Destunie, and Chris; his great grandchildren, Faye, Legacy, Kylah, Kash, Emma, Gidion, Laim, Braden, Jase, Nolan, Sylir, Blayke, Daikyn, and the newest great granddaughter, Evelynee Alice, and many nieces and nephews, and two nieces who called him “Uncle Buffy.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Michael Swearingen; one granddaughter, Katherine; his brothers, Bill, Jack, John, and Art; his sisters, Joanne Johannes, Sharon Shephard, Mildred Hearn, and Sandra Hearn; sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Betty, Lou, and Velma, and brothers-in-law, Ralph Lantz and Robert Hearn, Sr.
Phillip always said, “It is what it is”, “Life goes on” and “Never forget who you are and where you’re going.”
Viewing is from noon to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2024, with visitation between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m., at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be in the Hanover Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Brentyn Swearingen, Chance Swearingen, Zaide Swearingen, Andrea Swearingen, Kaydyn Swearingen, and Zarina Hassan.
Memorials are suggested to the Phillip Swearingen Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date. Contributions may be left in the care of the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at P.O. Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.
