Theron E. Swank Ed.D.

Theron E. Swank, Ed.D., entered this life in Clear Creek Township, Huntington County, Indiana, in 1928, in the home that his mother, Ruth Eberhart Swank, was born in, on the farm that his great-great-grandfather, Dennis Summers established in 1876. He departed this life on December 12, 2011, one day short of his 83rd birthday. Theron attended Clear Creek Township School for 12 years, graduating valedictorian of the class of 1946, and graduated Manchester College in 1950. He served the military in the Korean War era. He earned his Ed.D. at Indiana University and taught at the University of North Dakota for two years before moving to Warrensburg, Missouri in 1963, to join the faculty of University of Central Missouri. He retired from teaching in 1980. Dr. Swank was raised in the Bethesda Evangelical United Brethren Church by his parents, Amber and Ruth Eberhart Swank, and was baptized into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) while in military basic training in Kentucky. He became an active member of every church he attended throughout his life, serving in the Country Club Christian Church of Kansas City, Missouri for 25 years until his final illness which began in 2008. Dr. Swank and his wife, Georgene Crawford Swank of Lancaster Township, have three children, Leslie who resides in Warrensburg, Missouri with husband John Hart, David who resides in Independence, Missouri with wife Theresa, and Andrew who resides in Brentwood, Tennessee with wife Roberta; and three grandchildren, Bruce Sadler, Diana Sadler Martin, and Allison Swank. Gerald Swank, Dr. Swank’s older brother, preceded him in death as did his parents. Willodean Swank, sister-in-law, and Donald E. Swank, nephew, survive. A brief memorial service will be held in the Country Club Christian Church Chapel, Christmas Day at noon, immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service in the Country Club Christian Church sanctuary, Ward Parkway at 61st Street; graveside services in Clear Creek Cemetery will be announced in the spring. Memorial gifts would be welcomed at Manchester College or Country Club Christian Church of Kansas City, Missouri. The family would particularly appreciate messages from friends and former students at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.