Clayton D. Swisher, 77, of Seneca, KS, died Sunday, September 22, 2002, at a Seneca care home, where he had been a patient for one day. He had cancer the past two years.

He was born February 19, 1925, the son of John and Helen Richardson Swisher, on a farm near Vermillion. He attended school at Onaga and later moved to Los Angeles with his father. On May 25, 1942 he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was trained as a rifleman. He served during World War II in the South Pacific, China, and stateside. After his discharge on May 25, 1946, Clay returned home to Onaga and completed his high school education. He was a natural athlete and played sports in school.

He moved to Topeka and attended Washburn College for two years. Clay was employed in Topeka by Goodyear Tire Company and also by the Veterans Administration Hospital. As a member of the Reserve, he was again called into active duty during the Korean Conflict from August 7, 1950 until April 13, 1951. In 1958, he received an honorable discharge from the Reserve.

After moving to Ventura, CA he was employed by the Camarillo Youth Prison for 25 years teaching work skills to prisoners and doing maintenance. In 1987 he moved to Seneca where he taught and played golf.

He was married to Virginia Wegner. They had a daughter and were later divorced. In April of 1984 he married Christa Guenther in Ventura, CA. She survives of the home in Seneca.

Other survivors include a daughter Rebecca Hicks of Santa Paula, CA; a stepson, Elza Marvin of Indiana; two stepdaughters, Christine Gaines of New Orleans, LA, and Kathryn Ann Marvin of Oregon; a brother, Wayne Swisher, address unknown; and a sister, Joy Bullock of Seneca.

Clay donated his body to the University of Kansas Medical Center. Graveside inurnment services were held at 1 PM Friday, October 22, at the Seneca City Cemetery by Pastor Jennifer Collins of the United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be given for the Seneca EMT Association, and sent in care of the family.

Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca was in charge of arrangements.