W. Donald Swanger

W. Donald Swanger (Walter) passed away on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 in the ECC Retirement Village in Myerstown. He formerly resided at Montrose Manor on Beverly Ave., in Reading. Donald was the son of Ethel (Burkhart) and Walter Swanger of Womelsdorf, both of whom presided him in death.

Donald was a 1943 graduate of Womelsdorf High School and the Industrial Management Institute. He was an Industrial Engineer for Diamond Brothers Furniture until his retirement in 1988. He proudly served his country as a Merchant Marine aboard the USAC Lakehurst in World War 11 from 1939-1946.

He had a passion for jazz music, making pottery, traveling, football, the Phillies and dogs. He had a fascination with wolves and politics.

Donald was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jeanne, his sister, Gloria Kapp, brother-in-law, Lee Kapp and nephew, Terry Kapp. He is survived by Sandy Greene and Ron Leininger, cousins, and Charles and Earl Hancock, his brother-in-laws.

Donald always said he had two families, so he is lovingly survived by his girlfriend of 20 years, Nancy Swope and her family. He was also much loved by the family of his best friend, Earl (Shad) Kreitz, who he grew up with in Womelsdorf.

Services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, PA 19611. Burial will be private. Friends may call Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made: St. Paul's Church, 653 Glasgow St., Stowe, PA 19464. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.