Barbara Ann Swonger

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Barbara Swonger, age 76, of Mt.Sterling, passed away peacefully December 16, 2020, at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Born Barbara Ann Heffley, July 8, 1944, in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, she was the daughter of Woodrow and Mary (Motil) Heffley. As a young girl, Barbara and her family lived outside of the village in McClimansville, and she had many fond memories of growing up there and playing outside for hours with friends.

Barbara graduated from The Plains High School in Mt. Sterling with the Class of 1962, and remained close to her classmates throughout her life, organizing every reunion, and even birthday celebrations in later years. After high school, she attended The Ohio State University, completing her Bachelors of Education in 1970, all while teaching full time in Mt. Sterling and working nights and summers at the Dairy Freeze, where she had been working since the age of 16. Barbara also directed the choir at The United Church in Mt. Sterling for several decades, and the Mt. Sterling Community Choir in later years. She served as a 4-H advisor, ran the concession stand for Madison-Plains Music Boosters in the 1980’s and 1990’s, and served on the board of the Mt. Sterling Community Center after retiring, where she enjoyed tutoring students after school.

Barbara was a teacher for the Madison-Plains School District for 30 years, beginning at Mt. Sterling and finally at Fairfield Elementary. There was nothing she loved doing more than teaching. It was truly her passion. Students remembered her for bringing in cow organs to teach biology, dressing up like pop stars to emcee the talent show at Fairfield, and being “the strict teacher at the top of the stairs” until they got to know her. Even after retirement, she continued subbing full time for the next 6 years, taking on many long-term assignments.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert.

Barbara is survived by her daughters: Angela (John) Dickman, Roberta (Edward) Chen, and Jacqueline (George) Edmisten; grandchildren: Abigail, Matthew, and Seth Dickman; Elizabeth and Joshua Chen; Gianna, Samuel, and Sophia Edmisten; many cousins, treasured friends, and thousands of students.

Visitation will be held at Porter-Tidd Funeral Home, 331 West Main Street, Mt. Sterling, Ohio, on Tuesday, December 22, from 11-1, with service to follow beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Pleasant Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s memory to The Mount Sterling Community Center, 164 East Main Street, Mt. Sterling, Ohio, 43143.