James (Jim) Walter Swinehart aka “Swiney” died on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in Westerville.
He was born in Massillon, OH to Arlo and Edna Swinehart on July 14, 1947. The family, along with his baby sister Virginia (Ginny) would move out to Orlando Florida, but landed back in Ohio where he graduated from Wooster High School.
Jim later attended OSU where he also belonged to the ROTC and the AGR fraternity and graduated with his masters. While attending OSU he met his wife Marsha on a blind date at a Colt 45 party. The two never looked back and were married on December 20, 1969 . They eventually settled down in Wooster, OH where they raised 3 daughters Gretchen, Nicki (Dennis Greene), and Mandy (Chris Hutton).
As avid Buckeye fans Jim and Marsha bought a motorhome with some of their best pals, the Millers and the McCoys. They would affectionately be known as “The motorhome gang”. The motorhome brought so many great OSU tailgating memories as well as some incredible vacations, even though it broke down almost every trip. It was a character builder.
Jim had a long career in real estate which started when he worked for his dad at Arlo Swinehart Realty. He took over the business when his father passed away and he eventually sold the business to Hal Franks Realty. He finally ended his career at Remax where he retired back in 2018. He was a longtime recipient of the Ohio Realtors Presidents’ Sales Club since the 1980s. After his retirement The Wayne Homes Association of Realtors went on to create what is known “The Swiney Award”, an award that recognizes realtors who consistently demonstrate outstanding service, leadership and volunteerism within the community.
It would be an understatement to say that Jim was well-loved in the community. He had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He enjoyed getting to know his colleagues and clients. He had a big heart and spent many years as a volunteer for the Wayne County Committee for Crippled Children and Adults.
He was high on life. Every meal he ate was often the best he’d ever eaten and every movie was often the best he’d ever seen. He loved enjoying and also creating art. He constantly sketched, created watercolors and stained glass. He always emphasized the importance having something to look forward to and making vacations a priority. When we were all together the games, music and laughter were endless. He adored his 2 grandchildren Farren and Langston (Greene) and went out of his way to spoil them whenever he could. He got a kick out of deliberately mispronouncing words to try and ruffle our feathers. He was an excellent, and at times, an incredibly awful Farkel player. Not much gave him more joy than letting us know when we rolled our 3rd Farkel and lost 1000 points.
He was a gem. If he were reading this now he would most definitely be thinking one of his favorite quotes, “There they go.I must catch up with them for I am their leader.”
Jim will be hosting his final open house at Mariola Italian, 365 E. Liberty St., Wooster on Sunday, June 7, 2026 from 2pm – 5pm.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Oh my, this is such sad news. I loved working with Jim over 30 years in real estate. We enjoyed talking about our beloved Buckeyes. My sincere condolences to his entire family. Marsha I’m so sorry. Jim was one of the nicest men I knew. The Wooster community was blessed he lived here.
So sorry for Jim’s family. I graduated with him and always enjoyed seeing him at reunions and also following his family antics on facebook.
Yes. He was a good guy!
Jim was a very special person and we enjoyed a lot of great times especially flying to California for the rose Bowl in ‘68
What a treasure Jim was to this community!! Wooster is better because of his infectious joy for life. He was a good friend and colleague. My deepest condolences to his family.
Swiney was always fun to be around. I learned so much growing up around, “The Motor Home Gang,” from right and wrong to world issues. Swiney always could solve the problem with a good laugh.
Hugs to our extended “Motor Home Gang” family. We will have to catch up another day than this Sunday.
Jim was a legend in many ways! I had the privilege of knowing him because my mom,Ginny Shultz worked with him when he came straight out of real estate school until they merged with Hal Frank’s Realty. A wonderful gentleman, will be missed by many.
When I saw Jim’s obituary, I said out loud, “NOOOOO!” Jim was an absolute delight of a human being. Kind, funny, smart, passionate, pragmatic, and never took himself too seriously. And boy did he love his wife, his kids, and this community. I still quote him every time I see real estate that isn’t selling: “If you price it right, it’ll sell!” and he’d say it with a little grin and a big laugh. Jim was first a colleague, then our Realtor, and best of all, became our friend. I never met a person who knew Jim who didn’t express immediate and sincere words of how much he was adored. The earthly world is a less bright without Jim in it, but Heaven is surely an even more joyful place. My family’s deepest condolences to Jim’s loved ones – of whom there were many. You will be missed greatly, Jim!
There was only one Swiney and everyone who knew him loved him. We are exactly 2 years apart, and I never saw him without a smile on his face. We have lost a genuinely nice individual. Kind to everyone who knew him. Our sincere condolences to his family.
I’m sorry to hear of this loss. I was just talking with my cousin Melissa about what a blessing it has been for her dad to have such a great group of friends in Wooster, including the Swineharts. Jim will be missed! My condolences to all his friends and family.
Class of 1965..WHS for many years Jim coordinated our class reunions with little recognition! He was a “doer” and took joy in serving orhers. My sympathy to Marsha and family.
Jim wad one of the kindest and loved Realtor I have had the privilege of working with and knowing. God be with his family during this time.
I always enjoyed doing a deal in real estate with Jim, he was so accommodating and pleasant. My heart goes out to Marsha and his daughters. He was a gem and will be missed💔
You did a beautiful job of capturing you Dad’s personality. We will all miss him and we send hugs and love to you in your loss.
Jim was a truly amazing gentleman in love with life. A kind word and often a witty joke for everyone! Fly with the Eagles Jim.
Will always remember sitting with Jim after many years without seeing each other and reminiscing about the fun times at WHS and OSU and feeling like we’d never left Wooster or Columbus. He truly made everyone who he was with feel special. We’ll miss him but his time with friends and family was well spent.
Go Bucks !
I just learned from our Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brother Jim Long that Jim had passed away. I want to express my profound sorrow and sympathy to Marsha and all of the Swinehart family. I went to Wooster High School with Jim. I was exceedingly close to Jim and another Wooster graduate, Roger Dush. Now both have passed, what a tragedy. I worked with Jim one summer at OARDC and a wheat breeder who I have forgotten his name. I was always thankful that Jim never learned to drive a standard car transmission because that gave me the chance to avoid all the dust and hard work harvesting wheat trials by driving the combine. Jim had to harvest plots with a mower and hand bundle them into sheaths. That was a dirty, itchy job in the heat. That summer I mistook a flock of turkeys for chickens. Jim never let me forget that in an agricultural fraternity by giving me the nickname of “Turk” that has lasted 60 years. Marsha, I will not forget our last time together two years ago up at Tony Debvec’s winery for a pledge class reunion. I will miss Jim a lot. May God be with you and the Swinehart family.
Jim will be missed, we were lucky to have enjoyed time with the motor home group at Buckeye games! He was a wonderful friend and prayers go out to Marsha and daughters.
I was sad when Jim retired from real estate. Devastated to find this out. He was one of the good ones. Rest well my friend!
Mr Swinehart became our real estate agent when we bought & sold our first home. He soon became a friend & father figure giving advice we needed throughout the process. Several years later he was a champion, helping us through the process of getting a ramp added to our home for our handicapped daughter. We were always happy to see him in the community with his infectious smile. He spoke lovingly of his wife & daughters.
Our deepest condolences to his family. Wooster lost a great man.
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was such a good man and was always good for a laugh.
Going to miss you and your effervescense, bro. Go Bucks!
The loss of Jim is pretty tough. He was my best friend through high school. There were many great times together, including marching band and cruising in Jim’s ‘55 Chevy. Jim took Cheryl and we double dated to our junior prom. I remember going to Jim’s dorm room at Ohio State after classes each day of the first quarter of our freshman year to “shoot the breeze.” These sessions with Jim helped me adjust to college life.
Thoughts of Jim always bring smiles. Seeing Jim and Marsha at class reunions, the last one this past August, was always a high point. Jim was a standout among a very, very fine group of people, the WHS Class of ‘65.
My sympathy goes out to the entire Swinehart Family. I first met Swiney on my paper route around 1959. We became close friends in Jr High and High School. We even roomed together for a short time at Ohio State. After moving from Ohio in 1970, he kept me up to date on how the Buckeyes were going to do on Saturdays. I always enjoyed seeing Jim and Marsha at the WHS Reunions and going out to eat with them at The Pine Tree Barn and Coccia House. Jim would always retell our exploits. My only regret was not hoping on the airplane a couple of months ago when I found out he was battling another form of cancer. I miss him already. Rest in peace Swiney!
As a freshman, I remember how warmly Jim welcomed me into the motorhome group. Once I helped get into it, as it was locked. A few years later he helped Lynn and I find and buy our house. Still in it. A great stabilizer is how I will remember Jim. I’m sorry for your loss to the whole family and his closest friends.
I am so sad to learn of Jim’s passing. He was indeed a leader and he did it quietly and with a smile. I had the honor to serve with Jim on committees, sit with him at Realtor functions, office meetings and work many real estate transactions with him through the years. We both landed at Remax Showcase and I was so glad he and I were finally in the same office and he was now my Broker. He always looked at the glass as half-full and he rarely got his feathers ruffled. He could put things into perspective and he could always make me laugh with a few of his little known “impressions”. Jim, you will be missed. The world was a better place with you in it and I am a better person for having known you. My heart and prayers are with Marsha and the Swinehart family.
I’m am so very sad to read this today. Although we were only neighbors. I met you as a kid. I think I might have babysat once or twice for you. But, have always enjoyed speaking to you both when I saw you out and about. Good friends to my folks. Jim will be missed. Sending prayers to you all. Love and hugs!
Donna
True friendship of a lifetime: As little kids, Householders lived in Upper Sandusky beside my Hankins grandparents and of course Marsha, her sisters and I played kick the can, hide and seek, slept out in a tent and enjoyed loads of fun. Then came school events, connecting us as dear friends which has continued through adulthood. Annual group girlfriend gatherings continue through the years by 9 of us, rotating as hostess/destination planner.
Jim will be fondly remembered for being such a great husband and dad as we learned through sharing about our families and meeting in-person periodically. Friendship from Jim through the years has truly been our reward. Such a dynamic personality, topped off by his artistry and generous nature, all so beautifully expressed with Swiney’s obituary by his caring daughters.
Forever friends are treasured throughout Eternity, thankfully!
We learned of Jim’s passing from Roger Buchholz yesterday. It saddens our hearts that another good friend and exemplary citizen has moved on. Our deepest condolences to Marsha, the Swinehart family & friends.
I’ve known Jim since our OSU days at the AGR Fraternity where we had many good times together! Since then we have stayed in touch on & off over the years.
Swiney, like his father Arlo, was a natural for the real estate business. Always there with a smile and great of humor. We’re all going to miss him! – Booz
So sorry, Swine was my little brother at Alpha Gamma Rho. We lost touch after OSU but the Wooster kept me apprised of his work. We had planned to get together this summer after our move and completion of his treatments but it was not to be
He is missed but in a better place. Proud of the good work he did and he was obviously a chip off Dad Arlo
Benny and Beth Hahn
Please accept our condolences.
Marsha & Family, I am so sorry for your loss – please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim was the best real estate agent ever!
Everyone loved Swiney.
We were fortunate enough to be part of the motorhome gang for many years…nobody was a bigger Buckeye fan then Swiney. For years we would meet on Fridays at the Coccia house with several regular couples. I can still hear Swiney’s laugh over a new story or joke.
I’ll keep the memories and am thankful to have known him.
I met Swiney and Marsha through the always-fun Tailgate Extravaganzas at the OSU games, as a friend of the McCoys. Swiney immediately made you feel like an old friend, like we’d known each other for years. Then, when I became a magistrate in the Domestic Relations Court in Wayne County, he testified in my court as a real estate appraiser more times than I can count. He was the most well-known, well-respected, and well-liked appraiser in the Wayne County area. All of the attorneys hired Swiney as their appraiser. Through his appraisal reports and testimony, he taught all of us in the Wayne County Bar much about the many factors that affect real estate value. And of course, when we moved to Wayne County from Millersburg and needed to purchase a home, there was no question Jim would be our trusted agent. I will never forget Jim for his competence, his always-positive attitude, and his friendship. Carol and I will miss him. Our condolences to Marsha and the rest of the family.
I worked with Jim on the Wayne County Committee for Crippled Children and Adults. He was someone who was compassionate and cared that people got the help they needed. He was a great guy and I am glad to have known him. My prayers will be with his family.