Mary Belle Swonger, age 82, of Northwood Dr. in Celina, Ohio, passed away at 11:52 a.m. on Tuesday April 29, 2014 at her residence in Celina with her family. She was born on May 29, 1931 in Piqua, Ohio to the late Ferd A. & Caroline (Risk) Helmstetter. On June 1, 1952 in St. Mary's, Ohio she married B. J. Swonger, who lives in Celina. Also surviving are her two sons & daughters-in-law Bruce & Kim Swonger, Scott & Mary Swonger, her daughter & son-in-law Shawn & Mike Dues all of Celina, 7 grandchildren Annie Mir, Alissa Mir, Christopher Mir, Benjamin Swonger, Christian Swonger, Ethan Swonger, McKenna Swonger, sisters & brother-in-law Jean Helmstetter of St. Mary's and Nancy Zumberge of Celina. She was preceded in death by a daughter Sue Ann Swonger, her brother & sister-in-law Ferd & Mary Helmstetter and a brother-in-law Norman Zumberge. Mary Belle graduated from St. Mary's Memorial High School with the Class of 1949. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina and a member of Phi Beta Psi Sorority (Iota Gamma Chapter) in Celina. She was active with the St. Paul's United Methodist Church Faith by Phone. She was a Den Mother and a leader for both the Brownies and the Cub Scouts. Mary Belle was a Welcome Wagon Hostess and one of the original members on the Board of Advisers for State of the Heart Home Health & Hospice in Coldwater. She enjoyed her friends and the Round Robin Bridge Club. She loved to work in her gardens, solve cross word puzzles and travel. Funeral services will be held at 10:30a.m. on Saturday May 3, 2014 at the St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Celina, with Rev. Robert Metheny officiating. Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery in St. Mary's. Friends may call from 2-8p.m. on Friday May 2, 2014 at the Lehman-Hogenkamp-Dzendzel Funeral Home in Celina. Memorial contributions may be made to Grand Lake Hospice or the St. Paul's United Methodist. On-Line condolences may be left at LHDfuneralhome.com.
