Helen Marie Swank

Helen Marie Swank, a fourth child, a girl, was born to Earl Everett and Minnie Fern (Bell) Poling whom they named Helen Marie. She was born on a farm on Detling Road, south of Ansonia-Elroy Road which was owned by her grandfather Poling. In a few years her parents purchased the Poling Homestead, also on Detling Road, south of the Ansonia-Union City Road, where she was reared. She went to the Ansonia School her twelve years and in her senior year was the Valedictorian of her class of 1933. The following year, she completed a business course at the Balthazer College in Greenville, Ohio. She was employed by the Prudential Life Insurance Compnay for nearly 4 years before her marriage to Ralph Emerson Swank on July 2, 1938. In 1957, she was employed by Dayton Power and Light Company for whom she worked until she retired. She was a lover of music, having played the piano at school for 4 years and for the Ansonia Methodist Church. She was a member there from birth until 1953 when she and her husband transferred to the Coletown Christian Church to which she still is a member. There she was an active member of the Ladies Aid Society. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, in 1978. Also, her parents, 2 brothers namely; Kenneth and Dale; 3 sisters; Ethel Thornhill, Verla Smith and Beth Hemmerich. Also, 5 nephews; David Thornhill, Robert Seman, Kenneth Hemmerich and two infant boys; and a niece Karen Seman. Ralph and Helen were blessed with two sons and one daughter; Robert Dean Swank and wife Leanna of Franklin, IN; Joyce Earlene Pierron and husband George of Embarass, MN; and Bruce Duane Swank and wife, Christine of Greenville, OH. These three children blessed their father and mother with 8 grandchildren; Douglas Swank (wife Dorothy), Debra Kincaid (husband Steven), Daniel Swank (wife Janelle), Lori Kimmel (husband Mark), Lisa Fry, Linda Malott, Anita Brandt (husband Michael) and Bradley Swank (and friend Jennifer). Also, 17 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Helen is also survived by one sister; Wanda Thomas of Anderson, IN as well as several nephews and nieces. She departed from this earthly life on Monday evening, December 24, at Rest Haven Nursing Home in Greenville. Services will be held Saturday, December 29 at 10 a.m. at the Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville with the Rev. Eric Knight officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenville Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday, December 28 from 4-7 p.m. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Coletown Christian Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.oliverfloyd.com