Orville Swain

Orville Grant Swain, longtime resident of Waukesha, died Friday, January 15, 2010 at Waukesha Memorial Hospital at the age of 89. He was born on June 17, 1920 in Waukesha, the son of John Grant and Harriet (nee Humphrey) Swain. After graduating from St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in 1941, Orville served his country in the U.S. Navy as an aircraft mechanic during WWII. On April 13, 1946, he was united in marriage to Marie Callaway. Along with working for Waukesha Engine for 43 years, Orville was very active in the community throughout his life. He was a 60 year member of Waukesha Lodge No. 37, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of Waukesha Chapter 37 Royal Arch Masons and Past High Priest; member of Waukesha Commandery #23 and Past Commander; member of Waukesha Council #29 Royal and Select Masons and a Past Illustrious Master; member of Humphrey Scottish Rite Valley of Milwaukee; member of Tripoli Shrine Temple in Milwaukee and original and current member of Tripoli Longriders Unit; member and Past President of Waukesha County Shrine Club; member of Juneau Lodge #21 Knights of Pythias; member of LaBelle Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Mukwonago; member of Tall Cedars of Lebanon; and member and head advisor of Milton S. Griswald Demolay Chapter of Waukesha. Orville also was a 40 year bell ringer for the Waukesha Salvation Army, being honored with the creation of the Orville G. Swain Award given annually. He was a member of the Waukesha Engine Historical Society; and was a fifth generation continuous member at First United Methodist Church in Waukesha. Orville’s other activities included continued support of Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children, Lion’s Club, March of Dimes, and many other community organizations. Orville will be deeply missed by his wife of 63 years, Marie Swain of Waukesha; his son, William G. Swain of Waukesha; his daughters: Cynthia (Robert) Swain Ramlet of Middleton and Sandra Faith of Lindenhurst, IL; grandchildren: Steven Grant (fiancée Lauren) Ramlet, Michael John Ramlet, Nathan Grant Valpey, and Benjamin Amadeo Valpey; and sister, Nancy Jane (Bill) Smith of FL. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 from 4:00 PM until the 5:00 PM Masonic Service at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Visitation continues on Monday, January 18 at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha, from 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM funeral service. Rev. Dan Schwerin will preside. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church. Burial will take place on Tuesday, January 19 at 10:00 AM at Prairie Home Cemetery, with military honors presented by St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to Salvation Army of Waukesha, 445 Madison St., Waukesha, WI 53188; Tripoli Shrine Cripple Children’s Fund, 3000 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208; or to the charity of the donor’s choice. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.