Max Swope, 83

Max Swope, 83, of Cygnet, went to play Amazing Grace in Heaven with the
Lord on Sunday, December 23, 2018.  He was born on June 24, 1935, in Wood County to the late Forrest “Frosty” and Nina (Hawk) Swope.  He married Marylin Murphy on July 26, 1958, and she survives. 

Max is also survived by his sons: Craig (Elaine) Swope of Findlay, Gary
(Andrea) Swope of Cygnet and Eric (Sandra) Swope of Grand Rapids, OH; 7
grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and
beloved family members. 

He was preceded in death by his brother, Merlin Swope, and his sister,
Donna Jean Twining. 

Max retired in 1998 from the Wood County Engineers Office in Bowling Green after 34 years.  He was also retired from Gleaner Life Insurance where he worked for over 40 years. 

He was a member of Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist, North Baltimore.  He was a longtime member of the former Mt. Hermon United Methodist Church, where he was a Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher, Lay Leader, Pianist and Organist, Youth Fellowship Leader, and on the Board of Trustees. 

Max was a longtime Henry Township Precinct Committeeman, having served for 19 years.  He had formerly been active in the Boy Scouts, and as an assistant Weblos Leader.  He loved coaching and being around kids, he was a former 5th and 6th grade basketball coach, and also coached little
league baseball in Rudolph and North Baltimore for 8 years.  Max was an
avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and gardening,
but his greatest love and joy in life was his family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 27, 2018,
at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, North Baltimore, with Duane Weaver
officiating.  Burial will be in New Maplewood Cemetery, North Baltimore. 

Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 and 5:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday,
December 26, 2018 at SMITH-CRATES FUNERAL HOME, and 1 hour (10-11 a.m.) prior to the service Thursday. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.smithcrates.com.