Person Page - 426

Eda May Schwalm

• Last Edited: 28 Feb 2020

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Eda May Schwalm is also referred to as Edith Schwalm in some sources.¹
• She was born on 25 April 1879.^2,1
• She was the daughter of Samuel Emanuel Schwalm and Sarah Elizabeth Straub.
• Eda was the housekeeper for Dr. and Mrs. William J. O'Brien in Philadelphia for many years. According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, upon his death on March 4, 1940, Dr. O'Brien bequeathed Eda the sum of $50,000 for her "loyalty, kindness, and devotion." A local newspaper article provided more details:
  Sister Of Former Tremont Man Inherits $50,000 From Her Physican Employer
  Miss Eda May Schwalm, native of the Hegins Valley, and a sister of the late Ezra Schwalm, former Tremont tailor, is a rich woman today after a life spent in the modest role of housekeeper.
  ". . . for her loyalty, kindness and devotion to myself and to Mrs. O'Brien during many years' service in our home."
  Such words often appear in wills.
  In the will of Dr. William J. O'Brien, practicing physician for more than 50 years, the words told why a $50,000 bequest was given to Miss Eda May Schwalm. For 37 years she was the housekeeper for the doctor and his wife at their home, 1765 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia.
  Through an agent, Miss Schwalm let it be known she had no plans and no comment to make other than that she was grateful to the physician. It was indicated she probably would remain with Mrs. O'Brien.
  Many Bequests
  The bequest was one of many set forth in the will, filed for probate this week. Sidney A. Greene, the doctor's chauffeur for more than 15 years, is to receive $5000, also "for faithful service."
  The estate, consisting of more than $100,000 in personal property and real estate valued at $102,100, goes largely to the widow. Mrs. Mary O'Brien. She is bequeathed $100,000 outright and the income from the residuary estate for life, with right of disposal.
  His brother, John A. O'Brien, of Pittsburgh, receives $25,000 and a trust fund of $10,000 is set up for the benefit of his sister, Mary O'Brien. Thirteen nieces and nephews were willed $5000 each, contingent upon a pledge by some of them to pay $5 monthly to the physician's sister, Mary, during her lifetime. Another nephew, James Groark, benefits from a trust of $5000.
  Gift To Church
  To Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, St. Mary's Hospital. Little Sisters of the Poor, and Sacred Heart Home, he gave $5000 each.
  Dr. O'Brien, well known in the Northeast section of Philadelphia, was a large holder of stock in the old Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co.
  The West Schuylkill Press and Pine Grove Herald (Tremont, Pennsylvania), 22 Mar 1940, Fri, Page 1.^3,4,5
• Eda May Schwalm died on 1 May 1955, Philadelphia General Hospital, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA, at age 76.^6,1
• Newspaper obituary:
  MISS EDA SCHWALM
  Funeral services for Eda M. Schwalm, Phila., formerly of. Hegins R. D. will be held Wednesday afternoon in Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church, Hegins. The Rev. P. W. Yoh. D. D. will officiate. Burial will be made Union Lutheran and Reformed Cemetery, Hegins.
  Miss Schwalm, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schwalm, was born at Hegins R. D. and lived in Phila. for a number of years. She was taken ill at a quilting party and died at her home Sunday morning.
  She was employed as a housekeeper in a doctor's home.
  Surviving are three brothers, Elvin, Fleetwood; Ros and Ted, both of Lancaster and three sisters, Mrs. Grace Quade, Phila;
  Mabel, Calif, and Mrs. Mary Schultz, Lancaster.
  Pottsville Republican (Pottsville, Pennsylvania), 03 May 1955, Tue, Page 16.⁷
  
• She was buried on 4 May 1955, at Friedens Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^8,1,7

• Father*: Samuel Emanuel Schwalm b. 9 Jun 1848, d. 29 Jun 1913
• Mother*: Sarah Elizabeth Straub b. c 12 Dec 1856, d. 5 May 1888

Elvin Ray Schwalm

• Last Edited: 21 Feb 2024

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Elvin Ray Schwalm was born on 9 April 1881.^1,2
• He was the son of Samuel Emanuel Schwalm and Sarah Elizabeth Straub.
• Elvin Ray Schwalm married Edna M. Williard, daughter of Henry Oscar Williard and Barbara Amanda Miller.³
• At the time of the 1920 Census, Elvin, 39, a repairman in a coal colliery, and Edna, 34, were living in Hegins, Schuylkill County, with their four children: Anna I., 16; William A., 13; Charles A., 10; and Mark A., 1 1/12.⁴
• Prior to his death, Elvin was living in the vicinity of Reading, Berks County, PA.²
• Elvin Ray Schwalm died on 17 August 1968, St. Joseph's Hospital, Reading, Berks County, PA, at age 87.^2,5,6
• Newspaper obituary:
  Elvin R. Schwalm; Funeral Wednesday
  Services for Elvin R- Srhwalm. 87. of 404 Douglas street, Reading, will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Frieden's Lutheran Church, Hegins, Schuylkill County.
  Burial will follow in Frieden's Union Cemetery. The Rev. Raymond C. Hittinger and the Rev. Dr. Frank E. Radcliffe will officiate.
  Arrangements are in charge of the Cramp Funeral Home.
  Mr. Sohwalm, who died Sat urday morning in St Joseph's Hospital, Reading, was born in Hurley [Hubley] Township, Schuylkill County.
  A son of Samuel and Elizabeth E. (Straub) Schwalm, he had been a self-employed carpentry contractor before retiring in 1946.
  A member of Frieden's Church, Hegins, he was predeceased in 1945 by his wife, Edna F. (Williard) Schwalm.
  Surviving are three sons: William A. of Frackville; Charles A. of Fleetwood R.D. 3 and Mark A. of Lyndhurst, Ohio.
  A daughter, Anna I., widow of William E. Ressler, Reading, and six grandchildren, including Dr. Vincent R. Ressler, with whom he last resided, and two great-grandchildren.
  Also two stepsisters: Mrs. Mary Shultz., Lancaster, and Grace, wife of Elmer Quade, St. Petersburg, Fla., and a step-brother, Theodore of Lancaster.
  Republican and Herald, August 19, 1968, Page 7.⁶
  
• He was buried at Frieden's Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.⁷

• Father*: Samuel Emanuel Schwalm b. 9 Jun 1848, d. 29 Jun 1913
• Mother*: Sarah Elizabeth Straub b. c 12 Dec 1856, d. 5 May 1888

Edna M. Williard¹

• Last Edited: 21 Feb 2024

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Edna M. Williard was born on 11 April 1885, Berrysburg, Dauphin County, PA.^3,2
• She was the daughter of Henry Oscar Williard and Barbara Amanda Miller.²
• Edna M. Williard married Elvin Ray Schwalm, son of Samuel Emanuel Schwalm and Sarah Elizabeth Straub.¹
• Edna M. Williard died on 25 April 1945, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 60.^3,2
• She was buried on 29 April 1945, at Friedens Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^2,4
• Newspaper obituary:
  MRS. EDNA M. SCHWALM
  Mrs. Edna Mae Schwalm, age 60 years, wife of Elvin Schwalm, died at her home in Hegins last Wednesday. She was a member of the Hegins Lutheran Church.
  Mrs. Schwalm was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry O. Williard, and was a native of Berrysburg.
  Survivors are her husband and four children, William A. Schwalm, of Frackville; Mrs. William Ressler, Reading; Mark A. Schwalm, Baltimore, and Charles A. Schwalm, of Frystown.
  Other survivors are four grandchildren, four brothers and two sisters, Daniel Williard, Peoria, Illinois; Monroe Williard, Nebraska; Henry Williard, of Gordon; Allen Williard, Gratz; Mrs. Rufus Holdeman, of Hegins, and Mrs. Ulah Mervine, of Delaware.
  Funeral services were held from the residence Sunday afternoon, with further services in the Hegins Lutheran Church. Rev. C. E. Brodell, officiated, and interment was made at Hegins.
  Elizabethville Echo, May 3, 1945, Page 1.⁵
  

• Father*: Henry Oscar Williard² b. 13 Mar 1863, d. 20 Oct 1939
• Mother*: Barbara Amanda Miller² b. 20 Jun 1863, d. 11 Nov 1913

Anna Irene Schwalm¹

• Last Edited: 29 Jun 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Anna Irene Schwalm was born on 14 December 1903.^2,3
• She was the daughter of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard.
• Anna Irene Schwalm was baptized on 18 March 1904, St. Paul (Artz's) Lutheran and Reformed Church, Sacramento, Schuylkill County, PA.⁴
• She married William E. Ressler, son of Frank J. Ressler and Mary S. Otto.⁵
• Anna Irene Schwalm died on 28 May 1988, at home, 404 Douglas Street, Reading, Berks County, PA, at age 84.²
• She was buried at Frieden's Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.²

• Father*: Elvin Ray Schwalm b. 9 Apr 1881, d. 17 Aug 1968
• Mother*: Edna M. Williard b. 11 Apr 1885, d. 25 Apr 1945

William E. Ressler¹

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• William E. Ressler was born on 18 January 1901, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.²
• He was the son of Frank J. Ressler and Mary S. Otto.²
• William E. Ressler married Anna Irene Schwalm, daughter of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard.¹
• William E. Ressler died on 2 September 1959, Reading, Berks County, PA, at age 58.^2,3
• He was buried at Friedens Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.²

• Father*: Frank J. Ressler²
• Mother*: Mary S. Otto²

Vincent Roland Ressler

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Vincent Roland Ressler was born on 22 October 1922, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2
• He was the son of William E. Ressler and Anna Irene Schwalm.
• Vincent Roland Ressler died on 21 February 1972, Reading, Berks County, PA, at age 49.¹
• He was buried at Friedens Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.¹

• Father*: William E. Ressler b. 18 Jan 1901, d. 2 Sep 1959
• Mother*: Anna Irene Schwalm b. 14 Dec 1903, d. 28 May 1988

William Arthur Schwalm

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• William Arthur Schwalm was born on 3 September 1906, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2
• He was the son of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard.
• William Arthur Schwalm was baptized on 7 October 1906, Friedens Reformed Church, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.¹
• He married Hilda R. Bowman, daughter of Ellsworth W. Bowman and Mary Smeltz, on 1 January 1929, Friedens Reformed Church, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^3,4,2,5
• Prior to his death, William was living in the vicinity of Frackville, Schuylkill County, PA.⁶
• William Arthur Schwalm died in March 1976, Frackville, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 69.^7,6,2
• He was buried at Frieden's Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.⁸

• Father*: Elvin Ray Schwalm b. 9 Apr 1881, d. 17 Aug 1968
• Mother*: Edna M. Williard b. 11 Apr 1885, d. 25 Apr 1945

Hilda R. Bowman¹

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Hilda R. Bowman was born on 23 January 1910, Valley View, Schuylkill County, PA.²
• She was the daughter of Ellsworth W. Bowman and Mary Smeltz.²
• Hilda R. Bowman married William Arthur Schwalm, son of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard, on 1 January 1929, Friedens Reformed Church, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,3,4,5
• Hilda R. Bowman died on 23 February 2006, Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Frackville, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 96.²
• Obituary in the Pottsville Republican-Herald:
  Hilda R. Schwalm, 96, of Frackville, died Thursday at Broad Mountain Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Frackville.
  Born in Valley View, Jan. 23, 1910, she was a daughter of the late Ellsworth and Mary Smeltz Bowman.
  She was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Frackville, and a life member of Order of Eastern Star Chapter 367.
  She was preceded in death by her husband, William.
  Surviving are caregivers Beverly Weist, Lykens, and Elizabeth Swartz, Frackville; several nieces and nephews.
  Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from St. Peter's United Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Peter's UCC Memorial Fund, 21 S. Nice St., Frackville, PA 17931. Interment will be in Friedens Lutheran Cemetery, Hegins. Nice-Hart Funeral Home Inc., Frackville, is in charge of arrangements.²
  
• She was buried on 1 March 2006, at Friedens United Church of Christ, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.²

• Father*: Ellsworth W. Bowman²
• Mother*: Mary Smeltz²

Charles Albert Schwalm

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Charles Albert Schwalm was born on 28 December 1909, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2,3
• He was the son of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard.
• Charles Albert Schwalm married Florence Myrtle Glass, daughter of William Sylvester Glass and Amanda F. Hartz, on 15 February 1930, Elkton, Cecil County, MD.^4,5,6
• Charles Albert Schwalm died on 2 November 1993, 3533 Pricetown Road, Fleetwood, Berks County, PA, at age 83.⁷
• He was buried at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton, Berks County, PA.³

• Father*: Elvin Ray Schwalm b. 9 Apr 1881, d. 17 Aug 1968
• Mother*: Edna M. Williard b. 11 Apr 1885, d. 25 Apr 1945

Florence Myrtle Glass^1,2

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Florence Myrtle Glass was born on 14 September 1911, Reading, Berks County, PA.²
• She was the daughter of William Sylvester Glass and Amanda F. Hartz.²
• Florence Myrtle Glass married Charles Albert Schwalm, son of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard, on 15 February 1930, Elkton, Cecil County, MD.^1,3,4
• Florence Myrtle Glass died on 8 October 2013, Billings, Yellowstone County, MT, at age 102.³
• Online obituary:
  Florence Myrtle Schwalm, 102, of Billings, passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, at her home, having been taken care of by her daughters and Rocky Mountain Hospice.
  Florence was born Sept. 14, 1911, in Reading, Pa., to William and Amanda Glass. She was the eighth child in a family of nine children. Florence married Charles A. Schwalm on Feb. 15, 1930. They had two daughters, Shirley and Geraldine.
  She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
  Florence is survived by her daughters, two grandchildren, one great-grandchild and two great-great-grandchildren.
  Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Shiloh United Methodist Church. Inurnment will take place at Forest Hills Cemetery in Pennsylvania.
  Arrangements are by Cremation & Funeral Gallery.³
  
• She was buried at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton, Berks County, PA.³

• Father*: William Sylvester Glass²
• Mother*: Amanda F. Hartz²

Eda May Schwalm¹

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Eda May Schwalm was born on 20 April 1915.²
• She was the daughter of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard.
• Eda May Schwalm died on 3 April 1916.^3,4
• She was buried at Frieden's Union Cemetery, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^3,5

• Father*: Elvin Ray Schwalm b. 9 Apr 1881, d. 17 Aug 1968
• Mother*: Edna M. Williard b. 11 Apr 1885, d. 25 Apr 1945

Mark Alton Schwalm

• Last Edited: 8 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Mark Alton Schwalm was born on 6 November 1918, Hegins, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,2
• He was the son of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard.
• Mark Alton Schwalm married Helen Bertha Fager, daughter of Lewis L. Fager and Caroline Schutt, on 25 April 1943, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Reading, Berks County, PA.^3,4,5
• Mark Alton Schwalm died on 25 December 2013, Sun Prairie, WI, at age 95.²
• Newspaper obituary:
  Sun Prairie, WI
  Mark Alton Schwalm was welcomed into the arms of his Lord on December 25, 2013. He was born November 6, 1918 to Elvin and Edna (nee Williard) Schwalm in Hegins, Pennsylvania. His Pennsylvania Dutch heritage was very important to him. After graduating from high school, he went to McCann School of Business in Reading, PA. He was then hired by GE and lived in Schenectady, NY. On April 25, 1943 (Easter Sunday), he married Helen B. Fager. They lived in Baltimore, MD and Lyndhurst, OH. In 1979 he retired from GE after 42 years. At that time he was able to focus on his passions -- history, genealogy, and travel. He helped to form the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association concentrating on Hessian soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
  Mark loved to volunteer and worked election days until he was 90.
  Historical tours of Greenville, SC, were his specialty. Helen and he traveled to Germany 8 times, and all over the US and the world. They enjoyed living in Greenville, SC for 23 years before moving to WI. Mark had a passion for card games, making raisin bread and driving to see his children and grandchildren.
  Circumstances prevented Mark from pursuing a college degree but he made that dream possible through his children. He was so proud and happy to celebrate his 70th wedding anniversary in April and his 95th birthday in November with Helen and his three children by his side.
  Mark's life will be ongoing in his children, Joanne Jones of Taylors, SC, Ann (Arlynn) Schwanke of Sun Prairie, WI, and Karl (Sharon) Schwalm of Oakland, MD; grandchildren, Lisa (Scott) Panhorst and Heather (Edward) Jiva of Greenville, SC, Todd (Marsha) Schwanke of DeForest, WI, Mark (Erica) Schwanke of Woodstock, IL, Erica Schwanke of LaCrosse, WI, Michael (Ashley Robinson) Schwalm and Bryan (Megan) Schwalm of Morgantown, WV; great-grandchildren, Anna Louise Panhorst, Caleb and Caedmon Jiva, Brinly Schwanke, and Braedon, Bryce, and Brennan Schwanke; his "adopted" grandchildren, Alice and Stanley.
  Family who are welcoming him to heaven are Helen, his brothers, Charles (Florence), William (Hilda) and Wallace, and sisters, Anna and Eda; nephew, Vince; granddaughter, Amy Schwanke; and son-in-law, John Jones.
  Thanks to all the staff at Prairie Gardens and his friends at Bristol Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Bristol Lutheran Church, or to a [sic]. A celebration of life for both Mark and Helen will be held at Bristol Lutheran Church, 6835 North Hwy N, Sun Prairie, WI, on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 11am with visitation at 10:30am.
  Published in The Greenville News on Dec. 29, 2013.²

• Father*: Elvin Ray Schwalm b. 9 Apr 1881, d. 17 Aug 1968
• Mother*: Edna M. Williard b. 11 Apr 1885, d. 25 Apr 1945

Helen Bertha Fager¹

• Last Edited: 5 Feb 2017

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• Helen Bertha Fager was born on 18 January 1918, Reading, Berks County, PA.²
• She was the daughter of Lewis L. Fager and Caroline Schutt.²
• Helen Bertha Fager married Mark Alton Schwalm, son of Elvin Ray Schwalm and Edna M. Williard, on 25 April 1943, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Reading, Berks County, PA.^1,3,4
• Helen Bertha Fager died on 24 November 2013, Sun Prairie, WI, at age 95.²
• Newspaper obituary:
  SUN PRAIRIE - On Nov. 24, 2013, Helen (nee Fager) Schwalm was welcomed into the arms of her Lord.
  She was born Jan. 18, 1918, to Lewis L and Caroline (nee Schutt) Fager in Reading, Pa. Her young life was spent there until she married Mark A Schwalm on April 25, 1943, (Easter Sunday) and they moved to Baltimore, Md. Before finally moving to Wisconsin, she lived in Lyndhurst, Ohio, and Greenville, S.C.
  Helen spent a lifetime helping her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends have fun. Wherever she went she welcomed new people into the group. People everywhere will remember her engaging smile and her passion for volunteering. She enjoyed playing cards (especially Pinochle and Kings Corners), traveling with her grandchildren and Mark, and having potluck dinners with her friends.
  The love of her life, Mark, survives her. They celebrated 70 years of marriage. Helen's life will be ongoing in her children, Joanne Jones of Taylors, S.C., Ann (Arlynn) Schwanke of Sun Prairie, and Karl (Sharon) Schwalm of Oakland, Md; grandchildren, Lisa (Scott) Panhorst and Heather (Edward) Jiva of Greenville, S.C., Todd (Marsha) Schwanke of DeForest, Mark (Erica) Schwanke of Woodstock, Ill., Erica Schwanke of La Crosse, Michael (Ashley Robinson) Schwalm and Bryan (Megan) Schwalm of Morgantown, W.V; great-grandchildren, Anna Louise Panhorst, Caleb and Caedmon Jiva, Brinly Schwanke, and Braedon, Bryce, and Brennan Schwanke; her "adopted" grandchildren, Alice and Stanley.
  Family who are welcoming her to heaven are her brother, Harold Fager; sister, Evelyn (Paul) Aulenbach; granddaughter, Amy Schwanke; and son-in-law, John Jones.
  Thanks to all the staff at Prairie Gardens who made her last years and days happy, fun, and peaceful, and also to the people at Bristol Lutheran Church who made her feel welcome. Memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Bristol Lutheran Church of Sun Prairie, or to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at a future date.²
  

• Father*: Lewis L. Fager²
• Mother*: Caroline Schutt²

John M. Jones¹

• Last Edited: 10 Jan 2014

• Charts: Descendants of Peter Klinger

• John M. Jones was born on 16 June 1932.²
• He died on 14 March 1997, Saluda, SC, at age 64.²
• He died before 2014.³