Gordon Swartzentruber

LAGRANGE - Gordon K. Swartzentruber, 94, of LaGrange, Indiana, died on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, at home.

He was born in Sturgis, Michigan, on June 15, 1930, to Ira and Eva (Kline) Swartzentruber. 

Gordon served his country in the U.S. Army from November 1952 to November 1954. 

He worked on the family farm in his youth. He also found a love for fixing watches and clocks. He used those talents at Overton's Jewelry in LaGrange. He fixed all types of clocks and watches at his residence for many years.

Gordon went to work at Ross Labs in Sturgis, Michigan. He would spend his remaining years working there. He worked as a chemical engineer and in the maintenance department, retiring in June 1992.

He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and caring for his lawn.

He was a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir for many years. Gordon was known for his calm and steady demeanor.

On Oct. 14, 1956, in LaGrange, he married Marcia D. Albro. Marcia preceded Gordon in death on Sept. 6, 1985. 

Gordon would remarry on June 20, 1992, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church to Margaret (Gadson) Doering. Margaret survives Gordon in LaGrange.

Also surviving are his two daughters, Diane Gonyea, of LaGrange, Indiana, and Lisa Tjarks, of Howe, Indiana; a stepdaughter, Michelle Kemper, of Fishers, Indiana; two stepsons, Jeff Doering, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Mark Doering, of Constantine, Michigan; three grandchildren, Brooke (Mike) Richardson, of Mongo, Indiana, Adam Tjarks and Seth Tjarks, both of Howe, Indiana; three step-grandchildren, Brent Doering, of Denver, Colorado, John Kemper, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Amber Meczkowski, of St. Louis, Missouri; and a great-granddaughter, Sunshine Richardson.

A viewing will be held from noon to 2 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 797 N. Detroit St., LaGrange, IN 46761.

Funeral services will follow the viewing at 2 p.m., at the church, with the Rev. Dana Stonebraker officiating the services.

Cremation will take place after the services and Gordon's cremains will be buried at Riverside Cemetery with his first wife at a later date.

Memorials may be given in Gordon's memory to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fruripmayfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Frurip-May Funeral Home, LaGrange, Indiana.