Ed Swinehart
Edson Lyle “Ed” Swinehart passed away peacefully in his home on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the age of 79.
Ed was born on Dec. 25, 1946 in Big Rapids to Lyle and Florence (Carr) Swinehart. At the age of 10, he and his family moved to Mason County, where Ed would live for the rest of his life. He graduated from Mason County Central High School as part of the Class of 1965 and went on to attend Ferris State College in Big Rapids for one year.
On Nov. 10, 1967, Ed married Cheryl (Larr) Swinehart in Scottville. They had two daughters, Angie Wynn and Toni Leigh. Ed worked first as a mechanic at the Ford garage in Scottville and then as a machinist at Houmet/Misco in Whitehall. After 35 years at Houmet/Misco, he retired from full-time work at the age of 55, working part-time as a security guard for the Consumers Energy Pumped Storage Plant for several additional years. Health issues eventually necessitated his retirement from working life altogether.
Following the retirement of his wife Cheryl, she and Ed enjoyed traveling to Texas during the winter to spend time with family. Ed enjoyed remodeling his childhood home, where he lived until the end of his life. He was a regular attendee of the Western Michigan Old Engine Show at the Riverside Park in Scottville, as well as the annual car show and barbecue during the rubber ducky race. He was especially proud of the garage he built at home, which allowed him to work on cars as a hobby and later practice woodworking with tools he inherited from his father. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and listening to classic rock-and-roll music.
Ed was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was known to his family and friends as a patient and reliable source of support, holding a reputation as a mild-mannered and soft-spoken man with a dry sense of humor. He regularly attended holidays, birthdays, and sporting events with his loved ones, and he also coached D-league girls’ softball for both of his daughters. His parents established a tradition of visiting cemeteries and laying flowers every Memorial Day, including at the graves of his uncles, Forest and George Swinehart, of whom Ed was exceedingly proud for sacrificing their lives in the line of duty during World War II.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his brothers, Steve (Jane) Swinehart and Dave (Celia) Swinehart; his daughters, Angie (Jeff Heyse) Swinehart and Toni Swinehart; his grandsons David (Mallory) Mickevich, Jason Mickevich, and Carter Armstrong; his granddaughter Kya Morgan; his great-granddaughter Quinn Mickevich; and several nieces and nephews.
Per his wishes, Ed will be cremated and his memory honored at a “celebration of life” event to be held at a later date yet to be determined. His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for the care provided by the nursing staff of Hospice of Michigan. As Ed was a sufferer of emphysema and rheumatoid arthritis, his family requests that any memorial contributions be forwarded to the American Lung Association (www.lung.org), to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org), or to a charity of the donor’s choosing.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com.
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