Stephen W. Swanger

Steve was born and raised in Muncie. His first set of tools were given to him at age 5 by his parents. The die was cast. By middle school he was building go-karts and mini-bikes for the other neighborhood kids, much to the delight of all the parents…! By high school he was building his own working kayaks during his industrial arts class at school.

He was a “lifer” at Burris, attending grades kindergarten to 12th grade. Once an Owl, always an Owl. He attended Ball State University earning his bachelor’s and master’s where he discovered his true life vocation - teaching Industrial Arts (now Industrial Technology) to middle school students which he did for 40 years. He taught at Storer Middle School and then Northside Middle School where he shared his love for the fun and creativity tools can offer with thousands of students.

Outside of school Steve was involved in Boy Scouts through his childhood and then again with Scott, and now James. He and Linda helped with the Kids Hope tutoring program at East Washington Academy. Steve and his parents were lifelong members of High Street United Methodist Church. He and Linda enjoyed participating in the basket guild meetings and conferences in Richmond.

His spirit of community, kindness and generosity will be missed by all. His recipes for macaroni salad and caramel corn will be fondly remembered by all those who were lucky enough to be gifted with them throughout the years.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Linda, daughter Stacy Swanger Morton, son Scott W. Swanger (Blythe), grandsons William Morton and James Swanger. He is survived by his sisters Sally Callahan (Greg), Susan Handy (Mark) and Marcia Wilson (Mike), several nieces and nephews and a multitude of cousins. He is also survived by stepson Greg Marlett and several step-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Thursday, October 3 at Elm Ridge Funeral Home, 4600 West Kilgore Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304, from 4 to 7pm. Calling hours prior to service will be held from 12-1pm on Friday, October 4 at High Street United Methodist Church, 219 S High St, Muncie, IN 47305. The service will follow at 1pm, with internment after for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Animal Rescue Fund (founded by his former student Terri Panszi). Any donation to your charity of choice would be keeping his spirit of benevolence alive.