Anthony J. "Tony" Swantner, 79, of Monessen, died Wednesday, May 21, 2008 in Monongahela Valley Hospital Inc..He was born in Donora on December 12, 1928, the son of the late John and Anne Cizik Swantner. Tony was a 1947 graduate of Donora High School. While attending high school, he worked on the Pittsburgh-West Virginia Railroad. He was a 1954 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Gearing (DD 710) and the USS Shenandoah (AD-26) in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleet, and was discharged as an Electronic Technician Second Class. Upon discharge from the Navy, he accepted employment with the U.S. Steel Corporation in Donora. He retired after 32 years of service as a supervisor for Equifax Services and later worked as office manager for Rose Glass Block in Carroll Twp.Tony was a member of the Catholic War Veterans Choir in Donora, the Epiphany of Our Lord R. C. Church, Monessen Knights of Columbus Council 954, Mid-Mon Valley Shipmates, Monessen Elks 773, and the Donora Elks Golf League. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Andrew, Joseph, and John Swantner, and by a sister Anne Osiol.He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary L. Cheroki Swantner, two daughters and a son-in-law, Kim Zubritsky of Charleroi, Patricia and Roger Francis of South Park, three granddaughters, Mallory and Lindsey Zubritsky, and Leah Francis, two sisters, Theresa Weber of Charleroi, Millie Kovacik of Forward Twp., a sister-in-law, Louise Swantner of Donora, and by numerous nieces and nephews.Friends will be received on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm in the Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Avenue Monessen, (724-684-8750). Services will be held on Saturday May 24, 2008, beginning with a 9:30 am Blessing in the funeral home, followed by a 10:00 am Funeral Mass in Epiphany of Our Lord R. C. Church. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Monessen.On Friday evening, the Mid Mon Valley Shipmates will conduct a Two Bell Service at 7:00 pm, and the Knights of Columbus Council 954 will conduct a prayer service at 8:00 pm in the funeral home.The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society through the funeral home. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.
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