SOUTH POINT — James Frederick “Speedy” Schweickart, Jr., 75, of South Point, passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, after a short illness, at the Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, Ky. The Ironton native was born Sept. 29, 1934, the son of the late James Frederick and Helen Wyant Schweickart. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Ann Benson Schweickart, who was the love of his life. They were married April 12, 1958, by Monsignor Yonk at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Mr. Schweickart was a 1952 graduate of Ironton High School and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was a supervisor for Allied Chemical in South Point for 26 years and AK Steel in Ashland for 14 years, retiring in 1992. He was a Stationary Steam Engineering instructor and an Eagle Scout. He was also a Little League coach for many years and in the Wildwood Management Club at AK Steel.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Kenneth C. Howell; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Selma M. Benson and William “Bill” Benson.
In addition to his wife, he is also survived by son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James B. “Jamie” Schweickart DDS and Dr. Lauren T. Schweickart, DPM of Ashland; two grandsons, Tanner T. Schweickart and Tucker H. Schweickart, both of Ashland; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Linda Coleman and Ginger and David Wollard, all of Spring, Texas; brother and sister-in-law, Lowell and Judy Schweickart of Perry; and sister-in-law, Jean Howell of Ironton.
Friends may call Friday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be 1 p.m. Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ironton with Father David Huffman and Father Tim Kozak officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery with military graveside rites by VFW Post 8850. Pallbearers will be Larry Freeman, Lowell Carrico, Bill Keating, Jim Koukos, Donnie Jenkins, Jeffrey Jenkins, Hargis Harris and Dan Townsend. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.