Nellie Lavina Swisher

Nellie (Gabbert) Swisher, age 95, of Stevensville, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 9, 2016. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation and no public service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks and Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Services. Those wishing to share a condolence of Nell online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorials may be made to Area Agency on Aging or Hanson Hospice Center. Nell was born June 9th, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois, but lived her entire life in the local area graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 1938. She was employed by Fidelity Insurance in Benton Harbor.  In 1939 she married Alfred Swisher.  Nell was a stay at home mother until her children were grown. After a year of working as a ward secretary at Mercy Hospital, she joined her husband in 1957 working at his Pontiac-GMC dealership, Coloma Motor Sales. Later, Nell owned and operated Swisher’s Place, an antique and used things shop in Watervliet, providing her an outlet for her hobby of collecting. In 1970, Al sold the dealership to join Nell in that venture where they worked together until their retirement in 1977. Surviving is daughter, Valerie (Arthur) Chartrand of Venice, FL; five grandchildren, James (Mikki) Swisher, Jr. of Coloma, Jon (Kim) Swisher of Byron Center, MI, Chris Chartrand of Sarasota, FL, Patrick (Jennifer) Chartrand of Sarasota, FL and Elizabeth (Dan) Sullivan of St. Joseph; 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren. Nell was preceded in death by her husband Al of 70 years; her son, James Swisher, Sr. and her brother Charles Gabbert. She was thankful for her many care givers, especially her very special friends Mercedes (William) Frank and Stephanie Kerlikowske.