SWIFT, CHARLES E.

Charles E. Swift, 80, of West Bend, died Thursday, July 17, 2003 at the Samaritan Health Center, West Bend.

He was born on Dec. 4, 1922 in Springfield, Mo. to the late Charles and Villa Mae (nee Morris) Elvy.

He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and then served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II as a member of the elite C Company, First Platoon, Fourth Marine Raiders. He was wounded several times and was the last surviving member of his platoon.

After his return from the war, he was united in marriage to Priscilla Wegner on Feb. 2, 1946 in Wood, Wis. He was employed at the Milwaukee Railroad and Phillips Tile Co. in Milwaukee for several years.

He then worked at the West Bend Company for 27 years, retiring in 1988.

He was an avid fisherman, gardener and reader.

He is survived by his wife, Priscilla; five children, Priscilla (Robert) Fitz of West Bend, James (Carol) of Allenton, Leslie (Mariheart) of Branson, Mo., Henrietta (Kurt) Schmid of West Bend and Rebecca (Clyde Stokes) Kurtz of Eldorado; 10 grandchilden; 15 great grand-children; two sisters, Gereline Murphy of Desert Hot Springs, Calif. and Rebecca (Irvin) Jeffers of Huntington Beach, Calif.; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Seramur of West Bend and Lowine Wegner of Pardeeville; a brother-in-law Fred (Joan) Wegner of Watertown; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by a son, Danny Swift; a grandson, Cody; two great-grandsons, Daniel and Dalton; a sister, Bertha Wilkerson and a brother, Esco.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, West Bend.

Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 4 p.m. until the time of service.