Beryl Irene Lance

WOOSTER - Beryl Irene Swartzfager, age 98, formerly of Lodi, OH, passed away Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Smithville-Western Care Center in Wooster, OH, where she had resided the past several years.

She was born July 18, 1921 in Burbank, OH to the late Clayton and Hazel (Wagner) Lance.

Beryl graduated from Lodi High School in 1939, and married Donald Briggs on Jan. 17, 1942.

She worked as a bookkeeper and cashier for Western Reserve Power and Light, and later served as the Harrisville Twp. Clerk for 32 years. Beryl also had worked for the Lodi AAA, Cloverleaf Schools, and Best Ready Mix. She was a member of New Horizon’s Church in Homerville, where she was a member of the choir and served on a number of church committees and boards. She was a founding member of the Lodalia Garden Club in Lodi in 1957, serving as the club’s president several times. She was also a 4-H advisor for 16 years, was a member of the Lodi Historical Society, served on the Board of Directors of the Medina County Farm Bureau, and a founding member of the Lodi Mothers Club.

Following the death of her husband Donald in 1977, Beryl remarried the late Rev. George Swartzfager on Sept. 22, 1979. They enjoyed 28 years together until his passing in 2007.

Surviving are her son Roger (Lynn) Briggs of Midlothian, VA, brother Boyd Lance of Wooster, step-children George K. Swartzfager Jr. of Chatfield, OH, Charles (Debra) Swartzfager of West Chicago, IL and Kathy (Jay) Scott of Bucyrus, OH, 7 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild

In addition to her husbands, Beryl was preceded in death by her daughter Vicki Williams, grandson Devon Williams, and brother Wilbur Lance.

A private graveside service will be held at New Horizons Church Cemetery in Homerville.

Rev. Deb Michaels will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to Life Care Hospice, New Horizons Church, or Lodi-Harrisville Historical Society.

Arrangements by Parker Funeral Home, Lodi.