Roger W. Hamilton

Roger W. Hamilton, 76, a retired labor leader, died on May 13, 2011 in St. Joseph Medical Center at 6:50 p.m. He was the husband of Marcella (Sweyko) Hamilton.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Dr. Harry D. and Kathryn (Keim) Hamilton.

Roger was employed as a labor leader by the Candy Workers local 265, which later became local 6, of the Bakery Confectionery Workers Union for 30 years, retiring in December 1988.

He was a graduate of Fleetwood High School and completed six different courses on labor studies at the George Meany Labor School in Washington, DC.

Roger was also a Pennsylvania State champion trap shooter and won two state titles in his trap shooting career. He had won over 200 trophies and numerous Berks County Club championships.

He was a life member of The National Rifle Association, South End Gun Club, and the American Trap Shooting Association.

Roger was a member of Salem Shalter Lutheran Church, Alsace Township.

He was predeceased by his first wife Dolores (Schmeck) Hamilton on September 15, 1989.

Other survivors include two daughters, Christine A. Pettit Rohrbach, wife of Russell Rohrbach of York and Debra K. DeLucas wife of Stephen DeLucas of West Reading; two step-sons, Rob Sweyko of Fleetwood and Andrew Sweyko of Pottsville; six grandchildren, Megan Pettit, Jonathan Pettit, Emily DeLucas, Marguerite DeLucas, Michael DeLucas and Georgia DeLucas; three step-grandchildren, Nicholas Sweyko, Alyssa Sweyko, Andrew Sweyko and a step-great granddaughter, Kairyn Sweyko.

Services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Walter R. Christ Funeral Home, Inc., 3300 Kutztown Road, Laureldale. A visitiation will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will be in Salem Shalter Cemetery, Alsace Township.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004.

For online condolences, visit www.christfuneralhome.com.