Robert William Swaim’s chains that bound him on earth were released Friday, March 4 at the age of 95. He was the youngest of Elvin and Cora Swaim’s children, born April 26, 1926. He grew up on a farm in Economy, Indiana with his two brothers and five sisters. He took care of the guinea hens when he was a small boy and graduated to helping his dad and brothers farm. He attended Economy High School where he played basketball. He helped his dad farm and married Jackie Weddle Higgins in his late 30’s. After their daughter Sheri was born, he moved his wife, daughter, and step daughter, Diana Higgins, to Richmond to work at Eaton Gear where he earned the nick name “Gomer” due to his resemblance to Jim Nabors. He retired early and lived in a small house where he spent his time with yard work and enjoying the outdoors. He was an avid Reds fan and raised his daughter with the love of baseball. He also listened to every RHS basketball game on the radio. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and growing tomatoes. His favorite activity was spending time with his two granddaughters who lovingly named him Papoo and he referred to them as his “number one and two buddies”, members of the Silly Billy Club with the majority of his conversations and thoughts centering on those two girls. He treasured them and was wrapped around their finger from the moment he laid eyes on each of them. He attended church at Hillcrest Baptist in his earlier years and later Calvery Baptist. He was a man of faith and rarely missed church only to attend First Christian where his granddaughters were active. He moved in with his daughter and son-in- law, Scott, when his health began to deteriorate at age 87. Five years of holidays and everyday life with teenagers were treasured by him. Through the drama and chaos, he maintained a smile and enjoyed his granddaughters each day. His needs progressed to the point where professional, 24 hour care was needed. He spent the last four years of his life in a nursing facility where he was fondly called grandpa by some. This humble, gentle man leaves behind his daughter, Sheri Williams (Jon Alcorn), former son-in-law Scott Williams, granddaughters Cora Williams (Tony Smith) and Cara Williams (Trenton Cook), a host of nieces and nephews, and Felix the cat as well as Donna, Pam, Kendra, Sara and Rita (among many others) who cared for him at Forest Park and Ann of AseraCare Hospice. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sisters Olive and Hazel Swaim, Edith Marsh Rinard, Helen Bennett, Dorothy Schweizer; and Brothers Albert and Walter Swaim.
Services for Robert will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday March 11, 2022 at Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary. Chaplain Christopher Suder will officiate. Burial will immediately follow in Economy Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. on Friday March 11, 2022 at the funeral home.