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]

1. David Edwin SWIER, Jr. was born on 16 Nov 1946 in Letcher, Kentucky, USA; died on 02 Feb 2017 in Troy, Miami, Ohio, USA.
2. Walter Randall SWIER
3. Thomas Ray SWIER
4. Richard Lee SWIER was born on 13 Sep 1952 in Washington; died on 27 Mar 2011 in Yakima, Washington.
5. Deborah Lynn SWIER

David married Anita Jean BROWNELL on 20 Sep 1957. Anita was born on 13 Oct 1935; died on 29 Jun 2012; was buried in Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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

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]

Notes:

Died:
Age at Death: 61

Conrad married Sarah Francis COOK on 19 Dec 1858 in Zanesville, Muskingum, Ohio, USA. Sarah (daughter of John Wesley COOK and Nancy Ann EDWARDS) was born on 26 Jun 1839 in Culpeper County, Virginia, USA; died on 20 Jun 1923 in Maxwell, Story, Iowa, USA; was buried in Colo, Story County, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Age: 83

Joseph married Nancy Jane SMITH on 06 Dec 1857 in Story Iowa. Nancy (daughter of John E.W. SMITH and Rachel STOOPS) was born on 3 Nov 1839 in Zionsville, Boone, Indiana, United States; died on 28 Mar 1891 in Nevada, Story, Iowa, USA; was buried in Iowa Center, Story County, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Deborah D OUTLAND on 12 Feb 1846 in Wayne, North Carolina. Deborah (daughter of Exum OUTLAND and Miriam OVERMAN) was born on 17 July 1821 in Rich Square, Northampton, NC, USA; died on 6 Aug 1880 in Hector, Renville, Minnesota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Ophelia Lisenbee Sarepta MONTGOMERY on 31 Aug 1862 in Glencoe, McLeod, Minnesota, United States. Ophelia (daughter of Thomas Dixon MONTGOMERY and Eliza A. SMITH) was born on 22 Sep 1846 in Racine, Racine County, Wisconsin; died on 7 Apr 1933 in Potlatch, Latah County, Idaho; was buried in Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
Age: 86