Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Rhonda SWIER
2. Richard SWIER, Jr.

Notes:

In 1930 Census, living in home of Walter Swier. He had been adopted by this time, as Walter identifies him as his son and his name has been changed to David E. Swier from Edwin Guy Gearhart.

In 1930 Census his natural brothers are located in several homes:
1) Jessie M. Gearhart boarder with Annie M. Jenson; 14 years old; parents listed as born in Ohio (mother) and Washington (father); living in West Ahtanum, Yakima County, Washington. He is listed in David's obituary as Jessie Riddle.
2) John Gearhart and Donald Gearhart (listed in David's obituary as Donald Cannon) boarders with Ralph Carmack; John was 18 years old and Donald was 9. They listed themselves and their parents as all born in Washington. Living in Nile, Yakima County, Washington. John was most likely never adopted because he was of age. Jessie and Donald were still underage, but this census must have been taken before permanent homes were found for them.

World War II Army Enlistment Record
Date: September 4, 1942
Tacoma, Washington
Air Corps
Grade: Private
Term: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Army of the United States - includes the following: Voluntary enlistments effective December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year enlistments of National Guardsman whose State enlistment expires while in the Federal Service; Officers appointed in the Army of
Source: Civil life
Education: 4 years of high school
Occupation: Electrician, Automotive* (Automotive electrician. ) or Automobile Mechanic* or Automobile Body Repairman* or Motorcycle Mechanic* or Automobile Radiator Man* (Radiator repairman.) or Tractor Mechanic or Motor Inspector An asterisk (*) appearing after a job
Marital status: Single, without dependents
Height: 70
Weight: 126

Obituary, newspaper unknown:

SELAH -- David Edwin Swier, 79, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2001 at his home in Selah. David was born December 29, 1921 in Spokane, WA. to Omar and Gertrude Gearhart. His given name was Edwin Guy Gearhart. He was adopted by Walter and Laura Swier in 1930 and changed his name to David Edwin Swier.
David attended grade school and high school in Cowiche, WA. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII and served as an aircraft and engine mechanic. He married Anita J. Brownell on September 20, 1957. They shared many joys together over the next 44 years.

David worked for his parents in the orchard business, and later worked for Michelson Packaging Co. before retiring. He enjoyed gardening, fixing up cars, and he particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Swier of Selah, WA.; four sons, David E. Swier of Ohio, Randy Swier of Kennewick, WA., Thomas Swier and his wife Patti of Georgia, Richard Swier and his wife Ellen of Toppenish, WA.; and his daughter Debbie Swier of Kent, WA.; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 8 sisters, Eva Heier, Margie Water, Jessie Riddle, Betty Ann Bailey, Ruth Anderson, Carol Babb, Dorcas Tobin, and Helen Marie West; and a brother, Frank Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents and adoptive parents; 3 sisters, Mary Smith, Ruth Kyker, and Alice McReynolds; and 3 brothers, Junior Gearhart, John Gearhart, and Donald Cannon.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity.

David married Betty Fay TRUSTY in 1945 in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Betty (daughter of Frank CHAPMAN and Martha TRUSTY) was born on 27 Sep 1929 in Quicksand, Breathitt, Kentucky, USA; died on 13 Aug 2012 in Port Charlotte, Charlotte, Florida, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Data from the 1930 Census indicates that Betty was living in the home of her uncle, Thomas King, in Middleton, Ohio. The family cannot have been in Ohio very long, as each member, including six-month-old Betty and 1 year old Thomas King, Jr., were all born in Kentucky.
Betty's son Tom Swier believed Betty to have been born in Hazard, Perry County, Kentucky. Betty told Patti Cunningham Swier that her maiden name was Campbell. In 1930, a marriage record for Odis Campbell and Martha Trusty appears in 1930 in Kentucky.
The 1930 Census states that Martha is married, but her last name is given as Trusty, as is the name of her daughter Betty. I have several theories:
1) Martha was married to a man surnamed Trusty, divorced, and moved in with her sister's family while the divorce became final. Martha remarried Odis Campbell, who adopted Betty.
2) Martha was not married, but perhaps engaged and was not truthful with the census-taker because of her child. The father of her child could have been someone named Trusty or could have been Odis Campbell; it was not uncommon to send unwed mothers away to a relative somewhat removed from home in order to prevent scandal. If Odis was not Betty's father, he adopted her.
3) Martha was married to someone surnamed Trusty who died. She married Odis Campbell and he adopted Betty.
I am fairly certain the Martha and Betty Trusty in the home of Thomas King in 1930 are my ancestors:
1) The age of Betty is right for the date of her birth, as is the state.
2) Betty gave her mother's maiden name as Martha Trusty to Patti Cunningham Swier.
3) Betty told Patti Cunningham Swier that her cousin Thomas promised to buy her a box of candy if she named her newborn third son after him. Thomas King, Jr. would, indeed, be Betty's cousin and close in age to him as well, which would indicate affinty if they grew up near each other.
Census data follows:
1930 Census, Butts County, Ohio
Middletown
Enumeration District 9-39
Sheet No. 15B
Enumeration Date April 10, 1930
Line 52, House No. 2202, Dwelling No. 324, Family No. 345, King, Thomas, Head, rented home, $19/mo., male, white, 30 years old, 25 at first marriage, able to read and write, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Tennessee, State or M.T. code 80, speaks English, Occupation: Laborer, Industry: Steel Mill, Class of Worker: W, Actually at work: yes, Not a veteran,
Line 53, King, Nona, Wife-H, female, white, 22 years old, 17 at first marriage, able to read and write, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, speaks English, Occupation: Servant, Industry: Private Family, Class of Worker: W, Actually at work: yes
Line 54, King, Paul, son, male, white, 6 years old, single, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, Occupation: none
Line 55, King, Buford, son, male, white, 4 years old, single, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, Occupation: none
Line 56, King, Thomas, Jr., son, male, white, 1 3/12 years old, single, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, Occupation: none
Line 57, King, Alice, mother, female, white, 53 years old, widowed, 21 at first marriage, able to read and write, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, speaks English, Occupation: none
Line 58, King, Lucy, sister, female, white, 18 years old, single, able to read and write, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, speaks English, Occupation: none
Line 59, Trusty, Martha, sis-in-law, female, white, 19 years old, married, 15 at first marriage, able to read and write, born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, speaks English, Occupation: none
Line 60, Trusty, Betty, niece, female, white, 6/12 years old, single,born in Kentucky, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Kentucky, State or M.T. code 80, Occupation: none

Notes:

Omar suffered a gunshot wound to the head in a hunting accident. As a result of this brain injury, he drank a lot and could also become violently angry.
During the Great Depression, he opened up an auto repair garage with a partner. Shortly before his youngest child was born, he argued with his partner and was later found shot dead in the garage. The money and the partner were both gone.
World War I Registration Card
Name: Omar Alfred Gearhart
Address: E. 827 36th Ave, Spokane, WA.
Age: 34
Date of Birth: February 29th 1884
Race: White
Native Born: Yes
Occupation: Laborer (mechanical)
Employer: City of Spokane
Place of Employment: City Hall
Nearest Relative: wife, Gertrude Gearhart
Address: E. 827 36th Ave, Spokane, WA.
Height: medium
Weight: medium
Color of eyes: grey
Color of hair: black
Date of Registration: September 18, 1918

Died:
Age at Death: 46

Buried:
Greenwood Memorial Terrace

Omar married Gertrude Nettie PERKINS on 25 Dec 1910 in Spokane, Spokane, Washington, USA. Gertrude (daughter of John E. PERKINS and Mary Isabell YOUNG) was born on 13 Sep 1887 in Hector, Renville, Minnesota, USA; died on 16 Mar 1971 in Pasco, Franklin, Washington, USA; was buried in Benton City, Benton, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

After Omar's murder, Gertrude had 10 children and was pregnant with another. She had no means of income. Her pregnancy hindered her ability to work. She had the baby -- a boy -- and still couldn't find work. The older children would find work here and there, but it wasn't enough to fill the needs of the family. They were all starving. Bessie, the third from the youngest, said that she remembered standing at her mother's bedroom door waiting for her turn to nurse. Gertrude was trying to to nurse the three youngest children just to keep them alive.
Gertrude knew the situation couldn't continue. She had heard the State of Washington was going to come and take her children away. She didn't want them parceled out to distant homes, losing contact with each other. She wanted them to be able to stay in contact with each other. She went to her pastor and asked for help. They came up with a plan to ask the congregation for help. When the congregation was presented with the situation, members of the church stepped forward to adopt the children.
The adoption papers included Gertrude's request that the children grow up knowing each other. The only children who weren't adopted were those who were old enough to be on their own and the baby.

Died:
Age: 84

Frank married Martha TRUSTY. Martha (daughter of Lindsey TRUSTY and Angeline WAGES) was born in 1909 in Kentucky; died on 22 Aug 1968 in Sidney, Shelby, Ohio, USA; was buried in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Age at Death: 59

Notes:

Buried:
Maxwell Cemetery

George married Ruth Ella WILLHIDE on 25 Dec 1878 in Colo, Story, Iowa, USA. Ruth (daughter of Joseph Alfred WILLHIDE and Nancy Jane SMITH) was born on 21 Aug 1860 in Maxwell, Story, Iowa, USA; died on 25 Jun 1952 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, USA; was buried in Maxwell, Story, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Buried:
Maxwell Cemetery

John married Mary Isabell YOUNG between 1885-1887 in Minnesota, USA. Mary (daughter of William Henry YOUNG and Ophelia Lisenbee Sarepta MONTGOMERY) was born in Aug 1863 in Lakeville, Dakota, Minnesota, USA; died on 11 Jul 1932 in Spokane, Spokane, Washington, USA; was buried in Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lindsey married Angeline WAGES. Angeline (daughter of Wilson WAGES and Sarah Elizabeth DAVIS) was born in 1866 in Magoffin, Kentucky, USA; died between 1930 and 1940 in Kentucky , USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]