Riverdale Schools Closed Thursday for Services of Teacher and Coach

Riverdale Local Schools will be closed this Thursday, May 11 for a Celebration of Life service for a popular teacher and coach. 

Luke Swavel passed away unexpectedly at his home on May 4. 

He was 45 years of age.

He taught 6th and 8th grade history and coached high school softball and junior high basketball.

A Celebration of Life Service will start at 11am Thursday at Trinity Evangelical Church in Upper Sandusky.

Visitation will be from 2-4pm and 6-8pm Wednesday and one hour prior to service at the church.

Here is the complete obituary:

Luke Swavel, age 45, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at his home.

Luke was born on November 20, 1977 in Kenton, Ohio, to Walter and Vicki Jane (Casto) Swavel. His father is deceased and his mother, Vicki is living in Upper Sandusky. He married his high school sweetheart, Tessa Morris on April 21, 2001, at the Trinity Evangelical United Methodist Church in Upper Sandusky, and she survives.

He is survived by his children: Brooke 19, Kaleb 16, Grant 13, and Ross 10, all at home. Brothers, Scott (Theresa) Swavel of Upper Sandusky, Jeffrey (Renee) Swavel of Boardman, Ohio, Matthew (Patty) Swavel of Upper Sandusky, Mark Swavel of Waterville, and sisters, Cynthia (Van) Rothlisberger, and Sandra (Rick) Packer, both of Upper Sandusky. Luke is also survived by his in-laws Jim and Donna Morris, Paige Parlier, and Scott Morris all of Upper Sandusky. As well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Walter, and 2 sisters, Susan Swavel, and Sarah Donaugh.

Luke was a 1996 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School, where he participated in football, wrestling, and baseball. He went on to the Bowling Green State University and received his Bachelors Degree in Education, and his Masters Degree in Special Education at the University of Findlay.

He began his career in education teaching in Ridgedale Schools, where he taught and also coached high school basketball, and also high school baseball at Hopewell Loudon. From there, Luke moved to Riverdale Schools, teaching history 6th and 8th grades, and also coached junior high basketball, and high school girls’ softball. While continuing his teaching at Riverdale, Luke currently coached the girls’ softball team at Upper Sandusky High School and was looking forward to coaching junior high football this fall at Riverdale.

Luke was a man of faith, having first churched as a child at Marseilles United Methodist Church, and then later with his wife, Tessa, became members of Trinity Evangelical their church home, where he was active in the church with coaching Upwards Football and Basketball, and he played church softball and dartball.

Sports were a big part of Luke’s life, as he also refereed football for many years with his brother Matt and friends, and just recently he received his certification in refereeing basketball, and umpiring softball. Luke was also the co-founder of the long standing USFL fantasy football league.

Luke enjoyed watching documentaries, especially on history, along with tv shows, Seinfeld, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. He enjoyed vacationing in Cancun, going on the 8th grade DC Trips with Riverdale, yearly family vacations every summer, and he was known for his random trips to take in various, football or baseball games.

Celebration of Life Service for Luke Swavel will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Trinity Evangelical Church, with Pastors Jim Stauffer, and Steve Sturgeon officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Upper Sandusky.

Visitations will be held on Wednesday, May 10, from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Trinity Evangelical Church, and 1 hour before service time on Thursday at the church.

Those attending the services are welcome to wear their Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Browns, Ohio State, Riverdale, Upper Sandusky attire, or your softball team colors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Luke Swavel “Run Through First” Memorial Scholarship and can be sent to Lucas-Batton Funeral Home, 476 S. Sandusky Ave. Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to one graduating senior each from Riverdale and Upper Sandusky, who have competed as a senior in softball, or baseball, and are pursuing a post -secondary degree or certification.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.lucasbatton.com