Myerstown- David “Davey” H. Newswanger, 92, went to his heavenly home on May 11, 2019. Davey was born in East Earl Township, PA, to the late Peter Newswanger and Elizabeth Hoover. Married to Esther Elizabeth “Betty” Hurst in 1946, they moved to a farm in Newmanstown, PA and were blessed with a loving family of 7 children. Davey and Betty worshipped at Fair Haven Mennonite Church, Myerstown.
In 1961, they moved to Womelsdorf, where Davey started a 20-year business with Curtis Breeding Service, servicing farms in a 200-mile radius. Betty had food stands at Womelsdorf, Leesport and the Green Dragon Famers Market in Ephrata, and when she passed away in 1980, Davey continued the Newswanger’s Sausage market stand, working there every Friday until he was 78. Davey and Betty enjoyed visiting their hunting camp in Columbia County PA, that was shared with 5 other families, and it should be noted that both wanted to get the first deer on opening day of hunting season. The five families have many happy memories there, the extended families continue to enjoy this 100 acres and new ‘cabin’ to this day.
As part of his healing from losing Betty, he traveled around the world on a mission visiting orphanages and churches in 5 countries on 3 continents. He also spent 22 years employed at Farmer Boy AG in Myerstown, delivering farm supplies, and organizing the warehouse retiring from there at age of 74. He also worked for Ivan Z Martin Sr. inventor of the patented Hydroponic Apparatus for seed germination for 2 years until the age of 76.
In 1984, Davey moved to Myerstown PA, and in 1985, he married the late Madlyn Sharpe, and they spent their years traveling, attended Mt Aetna Bible Church, and continued welcoming 26 grand-children, and 101 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great grandchildren. Madlyn pre-deceased Davey in September 2018.
Davey is survived by his daughters and son; Esther and Harlan Martin, Barbara and Earl Martin, David Jr. and Lisa Newswanger, Jane and Quentin Fultz, Joan Bowen and the late Stephen Bowen Jr, Joyce and Glenn Weaver, and Janette and John Eberly. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Shirley Kiene, and step-daughter Kathy and Ed Krick.
David is also survived by his brother Adam and Elizabeth, of Denver PA, and pre-deceased brothers Peter, survived wife Pauline, John, and Luke, survived by wife Marianna.
Davey wished to spend his final years in his own home, and was happy to drive around visiting the sick, and family until he was age 91. His family and dedicated caregiver Re’nee allowed him have a wonderful quality of life until he had a heart attack in his home on May 9, when he fell and broke ribs and fractured his hip. His family and friends surrounded him for a few days until his heart stopped, and he went to be with his Lord.
Funeral Services will be held at Mt. Aetna Bible Church, 11 N Chestnut, Mount Aetna, PA 19544 on Saturday May 18, 2019 at 2 PM, followed by internment at Myerstown Mennonite Church. A viewing will be held at Mt. Aetna Bible Church on Friday May 17, from 5-9pm, and from 1:00-2:00 on Saturday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers please donate to https://mds.mennonite.net/donate/#difference
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