Marlene May Swary, 74, of Defiance passed away Friday evening, November 8, 2013 in the Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born June 17, 1939 in Defiance and was the daughter of the late Harold and Edria (Morrow) Helf.

On June 25, 1966 she married Darewood James "Bunk" Swary and he preceded her in death August 4, 1997. She is also preceded in death by a great granddaughter Sara M. Swary, brother Ronald Helf and four sisters; Bonnie Shirk, Carolyn Hammon, Kathleen Laws and Patricia Truman.

Marlene is survived by her two children, son Jim (Dora) Swary, daughter Christine (Jay) Grant all of Defiance, 5 Grandchildren; Brandi (Justin) Rigsby, Heather Swary, Zachary Swary, Cyndel (Tyler) Donaldson, Nathanial (Nikki) Swary, 9 Great Grandchildren, a sister-in-law Diane Helf of Defiance and her dog "peanut".

She worked as a nurse's aid at the Defiance County Home for 16 years until her retirement in 1995. Marlene enjoyed painting and spending time with her family.

Funeral service for Marlene will be Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at 1:00pm in the Schaffer Funeral Home, with Pastor Mark Chow officiating.

Family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday starting at 12:30pm and continue until the time of service.

Entombment will be in Riverview Memory Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans Administration or CHP Defiance Hospice.