Junior "Chick" Edward Swick

Junior Edward “Chick” Swick, 95, formerly of Rig, WV passed away Sunday morning, January 22, 2023 at Hospice of the Panhandle in Kearneysville, WV. Born in Petersburg, WV on September 13, 1927, the 4th of 6 children to Glenn Edward Swick and Rhoda Catherine (Wratchford) Swick. Three brothers and two sisters also preceded him in death, therefore he was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Junior was a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, serving in the Army, Air Force and the WV National Guard. In 1951, he married Margaret Ellen Henry. They welcomed a daughter and a son while living in Petersburg and in 1963 the family moved to Baltimore, MD. While residing in Baltimore, “Chick” worked as a carpenter, developed a fondness for following the Baltimore Orioles and doted on his granddaughters. Junior and Margaret returned to WV in 1976, living at Margaret`s family home where they remained until 2022. Upon their return to WV, Junior worked construction and later worked as a custodian at the Petersburg Elementary School from where he retired in 1989. 

In his retirement, he enjoyed playing poker, being a league bowler at Golden Lanes in Petersburg, and taking care of his lawn. He could spend entire days watching western shows and movies even though he’d seen them countless times. He continued to follow the Baltimore Orioles, and also cheered for Ravens and WVU football. He was a member of Oak Dale Christian Church in Rig.

In August 2022, Junior and Margaret moved to Martinsburg, WV to reside with their daughter. He was able to spend his last five months being surrounded and cared for by his family. Surviving is his wife of 71 years, Margaret E. (Henry) Swick; a daughter, Barbara E. Hawkins of Martinsburg, WV; a son, Ricky D. (Linda Anselmi) Swick of Martinsburg, WV; three granddaughters, Kimberly A. (Bradley) Heishman of Martinsburg, WV; Amy L. (Dusty) Fineagan of Bel Air, MD; and Melanie E. Hawkins (Vince Mui) of Frederick, MD; and a great-grandson Spc. Logan S. Heishman, currently stationed overseas with the U.S. Army.

Funeral Services will be conducted 1:00 PM Thursday, January 26, 2023 at the Fraley Funeral Home Chapel, 107 Washington Street with Pastor Lynn Rohrbaugh officiant. Interment will follow with Military Graveside Rites Accorded by the U S Army and the Moorefield Veteran’s Honor Guard in Newhouse Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM (Noon) until time of services.