Oscar Swogger Jr.

Oscar Swogger, Jr., of Masury died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at home with his wife and daughters at his side. He was 90 years old. Born March 9, 1935, at home in Masury, "Junior" was the fifth of 19 children born to Oscar and Della (Dignall) Swogger. An alumnus of Brookfield schools, he was drafted into the Army in 1957 and served a tour of duty in Germany as part of his service, where he was a military policeman and demolitions expert. Oscar married the woman he "knew was the one the minute (he) laid eyes on her." He and Judie (Schweiss) Swogger married Oct. 26, 1957, and spent the next 68 years holding hands. Oscar was a hard worker and had numerous jobs beginning at age seven. He helped his father on the farm, worked on a dairy farm, fixed cars, worked at a chicken processing business, worked in area mills and in the construction field, to name a few. He was ever vigilant to provide for his family. In 1973, and with Judie's support, he took a leap of faith and began his own business: Swogger's General Contracting. So many homes and businesses on both sides of the OH-PA border in the Shenango and Mahoning Valleys, as well as in places throughout the country for his family and friends, were built, remodeled and repaired by his hands. With a motto of "working to make a living, not a killing," Oscar's strong work ethic and integrity were greatly appreciated by those who sought out his skillful work, and many were saddened when he finally retired at age 87. Oscar had a love for Hudson automobiles, having driven and owned many through the years. He was a 50-plus year member of the Western Reserve Chapter of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club. He loved taking care of his home, gardens and lawn. Junior's greatest love was for family, which was his everything. He is survived by his wife, Judie; four daughters: Judi Swogger (Joe Pinchot), Masury; Robin (Craig) Williams, Water Valley, Miss.; Sandi Lyon, Masury; and Cathi (Diego) Murphy, Clermont, Fla.; and a bonus daughter, Dr. Tammy (Jeff) Kordes, Erie, Pa.; and 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren: Nic (whom he helped rear and who was like a son to him), Steph and Oscar Swogger; Rowdy, Cassie, Asher, Leighton and Genny Williams; Mac, Anna, Taylor and Layla Williams; Sierra, Andrew and Will Ashe; Oktavia, Catalaya and baby boy (due in December) Williams; Julian, Korbin and Julissa Williams; Chloe Williams; and Austin Williams, all of Mississippi; Sarah, Ryan, Fitzgerald and Elsie Kennedy; Niall Pinchot; Siri Pinchot; Uriah Pinchot; and Malachi Pinchot, all of Masury; John and Haley Rose-Lyon of Missouri; Jarard and Ferdericka Williams of Georgia; Tumarro, Clarence and Evelyn Davis of Virginia; Vinson, Sandecia, Aelita and Xzavela Murphy and Marcus Murphy, all of Florida; and Phillip Williams, stationed in Spain; and step-grandchildren Gary, Holly and Sofia Lyon of Massillon, Ohio; Aaron Best and Alex, Breanna, Myana, Alex Jr., Kayden and Maverick Lyon, all of Canton, Ohio; and Joseph Lyon of Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, Junior is survived by five sisters Bessie Mae (Richard) Horvath, Liberty; Shirley Wittenauer, Vienna; Karen (John) Boyer, Burghill; Carol "Sue" Mathey, Las Vegas; Dolly (Steve) DeVito, Brookfield; four brothers Buster (Mary) Swogger, Dripping Springs, Texas; the Rev. Gary (Beverly) Swogger, Medina; Rick (Bonnie) Swogger, Masury; Jeff (Andrea) Swogger, Liberty; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Charlotte) Schweiss, Davenport, Fla.; John "Spanky" Shingledecker, Masury; Jim Longwell; and sisters-in-law, Ada Swogger, Masury; and Kathie Schweiss, Omaha, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Oscar Swogger III; an infant grandaughter, Seymour Swogger Pinchot; and nine siblings: Art Swogger, George Swogger, Betty Felicetty, Alice "Toni" Schell Howard "Howdy" Swogger, Nancy Benak, Carl "Frannie" Swogger, Georgianna "Georgie" Shingledecker and Gail Longwell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org or mail to: 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Calling hours will be 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday (10/19/2025) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 East State St., Sharon. Funeral service will immediately follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home.