Mary E. Swanson

Mary Ellen (Burgermyer) Swanson passed away on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.

 Mary was born January 27th, 1937 in Warren, Ohio, a daughter of William Boniface and Esther Alberta (Toot) Burgermyer.

She was a 1955 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School.

Following High School, Mary completed a course of study in airline services in Connecticut, and then worked in the industry in Indianapolis, IN. Upon return to Ohio, she worked as a bank teller prior to marriage. After her child rearing years, Mary worked part-time in J.C. Penney’s catalog dept. before eventually accepting full-time employment with Liberty Township Administration where she retired as a payroll clerk after 20 years of employment.

A lifelong Lutheran, Mary was a charter member of New Life Lutheran Church (originally Christ the King Lutheran Church). There, she regularly contributed to quilt making, as well as helping with the annual rummage sale. She also served as church secretary for a few years.

Mary loved her family, enjoyed working her daily crossword puzzle, sudoku and word search puzzles, and watching Wheel of Fortune nightly. Mysteries were her genre of choice when reading. She played cards monthly with lifelong friends and some church members.

Her husband, Charles E. Swanson, Sr., whom she married in 1959, passed away April 24th, 1998. An infant son Mark Allen Swanson died in 1965 shortly after birth. In addition, Mary was also preceded in death by her brother William Burgermyer, and her two sisters Elsie Wishart and Betty Gowdy.

She is survived by her son Chuck (Karen) Swanson of Youngstown, daughter Laura (Mark) Vinson of Columbia, SC, and son Eric (Teresa) Swanson of Howland, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary spent the last 15 months at the home of her daughter, Laura, in Columbia, South Carolina. We appreciate relatives who took the time to visit with her there, as well as the cards, inquiries, and prayers from so many caring friends, family, and church members.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard. Family and friends will gather again on Thursday, April 30th, at New Life Lutheran Church for a funeral service beginning at 10:00 AM.

Interment will follow in Belmont Park Cemetery, where Mary will be laid to rest beside her husband.

The family asks that any material contributions be made to New Life Lutheran Church, in honor of Mary: 1181 Churchill Hubbard Rd, Youngstown, OH 44505.