Mt Zion Historical Society

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Lest We Forget- Vet Special

Lest We forget-Vet Special

Remembering: Merlyn L. "Merle" Swackhammer, U.S. Army Air Force

Merlyn L. "Merle" Swackhammer, 80 of Over the Hill Road, Caledonia, died, Friday morning, Dec. 2, 2005, at the James E. VanZant Medical Center in Altoona.

He was born on Oct. 7, 1925 in Benezette, son of the late David and Mildred English Swackhammer.

On August 14, 1952 he married Thelma Gray Swackhammer, who survived.

He was born and raised in Benezette and attended Benezette schools, living in Caledonia the rest of his life. He was employed at Airco Speer as a job foreman for 21 years retiring in 1985, prior to that he was a truck driver for Metal Wire Co. of Driftwood for many years.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force serving in World War II. He was present at the battles at New Guinea, Western Pacific, South Philippines and Luzon. He was a member of the Valley Legion Post 978, and past member of the Legion Burial Detail, member of the Ridgway Astronomy Club and 40 + 8. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

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