Harold E. "Erv" Swinford

Harold E. "Erv" Swinford, age 86, of Zoarville, died Thursday, April 18, 2013, in his home.

Born July 29, 1926, in Carrollton, Erv attended school in Mineral City and went on to serve honorably with the U.S. Army at the latter part of the Second World War. While in Vienna, Austria, he met the former Gertrude "Gertie" Schmidt, and the couple were later married. Following his service time, Erv was employed by East Sparta Ceramic Tile Co. as a millwright for over forty years.

Erv loved the outdoors, especially hunting, trapping, fishing and berry-picking. He and Gertie enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, and the couple traveled to Austria many times over the years to visit Gertie's family.

Survivors include his son, Harold L. Swinford of Dover; his grandson, Michael (Heidi) Swinford, also of Dover; his great-grandchildren, Michael and Brianna Swinford; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Erv was preceded in death by his wife, Gertie, in 2011; four sisters; and six brothers.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover on Monday, April 22, 4 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Dick Harvey officiating. Burial will be in German Cemetery, Mineral City. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Erv, please visit the Obituaries and Flowers link on the Toland-Herzig website.

The family suggests that contributions in Erv's memory be made to Great Lakes Caring Hospice, 1530 W. Market St., Akron, OH 44313.