Leland W. Swanger

Leland William Swanger, 92, died of congestive heart failure Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston.
Visitation will be held Tuesday from 1 to 8 p.m., with family present from 6 to 8 p.m., at Pearson-Coen-Beaty Family Funeral Service in Creston.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Orient Methodist Church in Orient with Pastor Karen Hoff officiating. Burial will be at the Williamson Bohemian National Cemetery in Williamson.
Memorials to the Orient Methodist Church, Williamson American Legion Post No. 719 and Creston V.F.W. Post No. 1797 will be accepted.
The son of Lloyd N. and Dora (Stelling) Swanger, Leland was born Sept. 3, 1916, in Adair County. He married E. Maxine Busch July 23, 1938, in Chillicothe, Mo.
Leland was a lifelong farmer. He was a paratrooper for the United States Armys 82nd Airborne Division from 1943 to 1946, serving during World War II. He was a member of the Orient Methodist Church and former commander of the Creston V.F.W. and Williamson American Legion.
Leland enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was an avid bowler, golfer and card player. Over the years, he won numerous awards competing in tractor pull competitions. He was a proud volunteer member of the Adams County Sheriffs Posse.
He is survived by his wife, Maxine, of Creston; a son, Larry (Cathy) Swanger of West Des Moines; two daughters, Connie Arey (Larry Reisinger) of Fort Mohave, Ariz. and Jerilyn (Al) Schneider of Creston; a sister-in-law, Helen Swanger of Madison, Minn.; a brother-in-law, Doug Busch of Winterset; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lester and Gerald Swanger; and a sister-in-law, Ethel Swanger.