Richard Allen Swearingen

Richard Allen Swearingen, 65, Topeka, died Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Midland Hospice House, Topeka. He was born October 16, 1951, in Topeka, the son of Marion Lee and Lenora Mae (Mellenbruch) Swearingen.

Richard graduated from Washburn Rural High School in 1971. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Friends University; his Associate’s Degree from Wichita State University; and his Master’s Degree from Baker University. He worked for Southwest Publishing for 25 years and for the U.S. Postal Service for two years. He was a member of Human Resources.

Richard was married to Barbara Edith Griffin on June 5, 1982, in Wichita. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a step-daughter, Monica Miller, on July 9, 2015.

Surviving are his wife: Barbara Swearingen of the home; a step-daughter: Robyn Self of California; two sisters: Sharon Fenton of Topeka and Joyce Sasse of Columbia, Missouri; and five grandchildren: Ayana, Nicholas, Tyler, Melina, and Elliott.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Avenue, Topeka. Committal services will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at American Cemetery, Osage City.

Richard will lie in state after 3:00 PM, Friday, at the funeral chapel where the family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606-2800, Alzheimer’s Association, 3625 SW 29th Street, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66614, or American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604.