Raymond H. “Ray” Sweigart, 87

December 03, 2016

Raymond H. “Ray” Sweigart, 87, of Columbia, went peacefully home with the Lord Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Lancaster County, he was the husband of the late Miriam E. (Maser) Sweigart, who died May 19, 1999. He was the son of the late Jefferson L. and Carrie (Huyard) Sweigart.
He was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and led the Rosary. A graduate of F&M, he was employed for 37 years by RCA, retiring in 1989, and later working for High Steel.
A US Army veteran, Ray served in the Signal Corps from 1947 to 1950. He was a member of the Lancaster Elks Lodge #134, serving as secretary and 1978 and ’82 Past Exalted Ruler; American Legion Post #34; and was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.
Ray is survived by a daughter, Vicki Ellmaker, of Columbia; 6 grandchildren: Keith, Melanie, Jeff, Crystal, Timothy, and Christopher; 8 great-grandchildren: Christian, Chyna, Crystal, Jaydon, Eddie, Emersyn, Leah, and Benjamin; a sister, Kathryn Meenagh, of FL; and a daughter-in-law, Becky, of SC. He was preceded in death by 2 sons: Keith A. and Craig D. Sweigart.
Ray lived for the last 8 years with his granddaughter, Melanie, her husband, Ed, and their four children, in a four-generation home, where Vicki also resides. He enjoyed his nightly games of Mexican train with friends and family, was devoted to his church, and brought joy to those around him. To know Ray was to love him, and to love him was a blessing. We will miss his awesome sense of humor, his kind and generous heart, and his handsome smile, but it’s only ‘til we meet again, sweet Pa!!
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM, Friday, Dec. 9, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 929 N. Duke St., Lancaster, with the Rev. Tri M. Luong as Celebrant. Family and friends will be received one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial, with full military honors, will be in Conestoga Memorial Park.
Kindly omit flowers. Memorial contributions in Ray’s memory may be made to Victoria’s Little Lamb’s Fund, payable to Zion Church of Millersville, 317 N. George St., Millersville, PA 17551.