Mary E. Swanson 1937-2026

Mary was born Jan. 27, 1937, in Warren, a daughter of William Boniface and Esther Alberta Toot Burgermyer.

She was a 1955 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School. Following high school, Mary completed a course of study in airline services in Connecticut and then worked in the industry in Indianapolis, Indiana. Upon return to Ohio, she worked as a bank teller prior to marriage. After her child-rearing years, Mary worked part-time in the JCPenney catalog department before eventually accepting full-time employment in Liberty Township administration, where she retired as a payroll clerk after 20 years of employment.

A lifelong Lutheran, Mary was a charter member of New Life Lutheran Church (originally Christ the King Lutheran Church). There, she regularly contributed to quiltmaking, as well as helping with the annual rummage sale. She also served as church secretary for a few years.

Mary loved her family, enjoyed working her daily crossword puzzle, sudoku and word search puzzles and watched “Wheel of Fortune” nightly. Mysteries were her genre of choice when reading. She played cards monthly with lifelong friends and some church members.

Her husband, Charles E. Swanson Sr., whom she married in 1959, passed away April 24, 1998. An infant son, Mark Allen Swanson, died in 1965, shortly after birth. In addition, Mary was also preceded in death by her brother, William Burgermyer; and her two sisters, Elsie Wishart and Betty Gowdy.

She is survived by her son, Chuck (Karen) Swanson of Youngstown; her daughter, Laura (Mark) Vinson of Columbia, South Carolina; her son, Eric (Teresa) Swanson of Howland; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary spent the last 15 months at the home of her daughter, Laura, in Columbia, South Carolina. We appreciate relatives who took the time to visit with her there, as well as the cards, inquiries and prayers from so many caring friends, family and church members.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. Family and friends will gather again for a funeral service at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026, at New Life Lutheran Church.

Interment will follow in Belmont Park Cemetery, where Mary will be laid to rest beside her husband.

The family asks that any material contributions be made to New Life Lutheran Church in honor of Mary, 1181 Churchill Hubbard Road, Youngstown, OH 44505.

To view this obituary and send any expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com.

(special notice)