Melvin A. Swithers, 87, of Nanticoke, passed away early Thursday morning, July 2, 2020 at his home.

A life-long resident of Nanticoke, he was born August 8, 1932 a son of the late Charles and Martha Dudeck Swithers. He graduated from Nanticoke High School, class of 1950.

He married Elizabeth (Betty) O'Donnell on April 6, 1957.

He was the President of Swither's Heating Oil Service in Nanticoke for many years until retiring in 2019.

A member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Nanticoke for most of his life, he later joined Firwood United Methodist Church, Wilkes-Barre in 2000. He was a 60 year member of Nanticoke Lodge Free and Accepted Masons; a 55 year member of Irem Shriners and where he was in the Stagecrafters Unit and a member of Caldwell Consistory, Scottish Rite, Valley of Bloomsburg.

Mel was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He had great joy attending his grandchildren's sports and activities.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Carl and Paul Swithers.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Betty with whom he shared 63 years of marriage; son, David Swithers and wife, Denise, Hunlock Creek; daughter, Ellen Swithers, Wilkes-Barre; grandchildren, Ariel, Nanticoke, Cody, Huntington Beach, CA and Austin, Wilkes-Barre as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. from Davis-Dinelli Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad Street, Nanticoke, with the Rev. Barry M. Lohman, pastor of Zion United Church of Christ, Nanticoke, officiating.

Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Viewing and visitation hours will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. A Masonic Memorial will be conducted at 7 p.m.