Truman Arthur Switzer
January 17, 1934 ~ January 19, 2021
Born in: Butler, Pennsylvania
Truman A. Switzer, Jr., 87, of Cranberry, passed away in his home in the late morning of Tuesday, January 19, 2021.He was born January 17, 1934 in Butler (PA) Hospital to Truman A. Switzer and Jeanette Whitling Switzer. He grew up on a farm in the Fertigs area and was one of several school children who witnessed the locally famous emergency landing of Charles Lindbergh's plane in Fertigs on April 5, 1945. Truman attended grade school in a one-room school house in Pinegrove Township and then Cranberry High School, following which he enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1953. He served in Georgia, Korea, and Hawaii, and was Honorably discharged in December 1955 with the rank of Sergeant.He was married on December 26, 1953 to Janice Elaine Davis by Reverend Charles Rummel in the Rocky Grove Methodist Church. Truman was employed by Joy Manufacturing for 35 years, having started as a Machinist and finally working in the capacity of General Foreman in the Machine Shop and also Tool Room Manager; he retired in 1988.Truman enjoyed hunting, fishing, rifle target shooting, and hand loading ammo. He was a former member of the Izaac Walton League and a life-long member of the NRA. He enjoyed family vacations at Canadohta Lake and Chautauqua Lake.Truman is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janice Switzer; his three sons, Chris (Patti) Switzer, Mark (Darlene) Switzer, Kerry (Tina) Switzer; his daughter, Lori (Rick) Erwin; and his two sisters, Patricia Roberts and Lucille McCarty. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren, Kelli (Aaron) Yost, Nathan (Michelle) Blum, Kerry Switzer, Jr., Josh (Alicia) Blum, Matthew Switzer, Daniel (Jackie) Switzer, Tim Switzer, Aaron (Leo) Switzer-Perez, Justin (Curtis) Rundell, and Ben (Elise) Switzer; his 17 great-grandchildren, Noah, Isaac, Jessica, Joshua, Joana, Alexandrea, Levi, Oliver, Declan, Jacob, Shila, Jamie, Jennifer, Jadyn, Kaylyn, Jonathan, and Travis; and by his sister-in-law, Ann Switzer.In addition to his parents, Truman was preceded in death by his step-mother, Clara Switzer; his two brothers, Harry Switzer and Richard Switzer; and by his sister, Sue O'Conner.In keeping with the family's wishes, there will be no public visitation.Funeral services will be held privately for the family, with Reverend David Smith, pastor of the Franklin First Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Truman will be laid to rest in Fertigs Cemetery.The funeral home will have social distancing protocols in place and strongly recommends those who are attending to wear masks. We respectfully ask if you feel sick or have other health conditions to stay home.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Truman's honor to the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 272, Seneca, PA 16346; to the Salvation Army in Franklin, 737 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323; and/or to the Salvation Army in Oil City, 217 Sycamore Street, Oil City, PA 16301.To send cards, online condolences, or for more information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.
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Dear Switzer family, We send you all our sympathy and prayers for comfort. Christine and Calvin Cross
Loved Truman and his family and enjoyed my summers staying with them. Wish we had more time. With Mom and others now in Heaven !
My prayers are with the family at this time. I worked for Truman for many years and had a lot of respect for him and his machining knowledge. Truman will be missed. Michal L McFetridge
I remember as a small child staying with the family and going to church on Sundays! Thank the Lord for the direction of this family! I am saved today because of such devotion to the Lord! Thank you! My prayers are with you at this time of your great loss. My deepest sympathy.
Aunt Janice and family , Sorry to hear of your loss . So many childhood memories swept back . Our times together were wonderful . Sending prayers , Love Terri
Remembering all the get together with all of the Cousins…..My sympathies to Aunt Janice, Chris, Mark and Kerry’s Families……..
Janice and family, We were saddened reading Truman’s obituary this morning. Although eighty-seven years is a notable life span, we will miss seeing him enjoying summer days on your side porch. We would like to celebrate your family’s contribution to Truman’s life as we often noted them working around the house so as to ease your burdens. Bob and Mary Carol Blauser
Prayers of comfort and sympathies for the family at this time.
To Janice and family, You have our deepest sympathy in the passing of Truman. Praying for the family
Janice and family: sending our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Truman was one of a kind! We had a lot of good times together and I have many fond memories from working at Joy to our fishing trips to Black lake and Chautauqua. My prayers are with you all. Wayne Roach
My heartfelt sympathy Janice and all your family.Truman was a true man who surely lived up to that name as a husband ,father,brother,uncle and at his job at Joy.Many loved him,many admired him,some were a little bit intimadated by him until they got to know him.He was what my husband (his little brother) called one of the last original men and he surely was.I am so sad l can’t attend his funeral because of my fear of covid but my heart is there,God bless you all.
Aunt Pat, So sorry for your loss. Please call me when you can. 814-758-7947
Aunt Janice, I am very sorry for you and the entire family’s loss. Uncle Truman was someone I really respected and I know Dad (Harry Switzer) certainly looked up to his older brother and idolized him. I will keep you and all in my prayers. Love Pam and family.
Sorry for the loss of your father. The memories of working at Joy with Chris,Mark, Kerri and your dad. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Glenn and Joyce Speer