Benjamin Garland Switzer

Benjamin Garland Switzer, 82, of Ridgevue Apartments, #604, 800 W. Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge, Va., and formerly of 136 Christian Ave. in Roanoke, Va., died on Monday, June 7, 2010, at his residence. He was born on January 31, 1928, on Barbours Creek, Craig County, Va., a son of the late James W. and Richter N. Smith Switzer and his late foster mother, Bessie V. Switzer Caldwell. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a retired accountant for New River Electrical Corporation. He attended Waverly Baptist Church of Roanoke, was a life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #610, and a member of the Covington Masonic Lodge # 171 A.F. & A.M. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Liptrap Clark Switzer, in November of 2007. He is survived by a brother, Calvin M. Switzer, of Salem; his special family, Carol and Mike Entsminger, of Clifton Forge, Chris and Windy Wiley, of Clifton Forge, Susan and Ronnie Payne, of Roanoke, and Mitzi and Steve Ferguson of Salem; as well as his extended family at Scott Hill Retirement Community in Clifton Forge. A Funeral Service will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2010, in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with the Reverend Gerry Burkholder officiating. Entombment will follow in the Alleghany Memorial Park Mausoleum, Low Moor. Pallbearers will be Robert Arritt, Jim King, Chris Wiley, Keenan Entsminger, Tony Cahoon and Terry Crowgey. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at Nicely Funeral Home and other times at the residence of Carol and Mike Entsminger, 1220 Jefferson Ave., Clifton Forge, Va. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to The American Cancer Society, c/o Karen Buzzard, 807 McCormick Blvd., Clifton Forge, Va. 24422; to Epworth United Methodist Church Parsonage Fund, P.O. Box 190, Selma, Va. 24474; or to the Selma Fire Department, P.O. Box 124, Selma, Va. 24474. To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.