George Edward Schwing, Sr.

New Iberia - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, August 18, 2008, at St. Peter Catholic Church in New Iberia, for George Edward Schwing, Sr., 82, who passed away on Friday, August 15, 2008 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, in Lafayette. Interment will follow at Beau Pre' Cemetery in New Iberia. Reverend Chester Arceneaux will officiate at the funeral Mass and conduct the service. Mr. Schwing was a salutatorian graduate of St. Peter's College in 1941 and graduated with a B.S. in Business from Springhill College, in Mobile, Alabama. A veteran of World War II, he honorably served his country in the 8th Air Force 381st Bomber Group of the U.S. Air Force having completed 24 missions in a B-17 Bomber as a Waist Gunner over Germany in the European Theatre. He played 3rd base for Springhill Varsity Baseball team, and was also a member of the New Iberia Blues semi-pro baseball team. A realtor, notary, and founder of Schwing Realty, Inc., Mr. Schwing spent most of his life as an insurance agent for Schwing Insurance Agency. He was an active member of St. Peters Catholic Church, New Iberia Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Vice President of the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce, and Catholic High School Panther Club. Mr. Schwing was the co chairman of the Panther Club Stadium Commission for Catholic High School. He will fondly be remembered by many as "Coach" for the 8th grade boys at Catholic High School, whose players went on to many undefeated and successful seasons and eventually, went on to win their lone State Championship. He was a very avid and successful bowler, golfer and tennis player, having won many titles and championships. Mr. Schwing was an original stockholder and member of the Iberia Golf & Country Club. He enjoyed playing tennis with his wife, children, and especially his friends. He also enjoyed being a part of the Olivier Lawn and Tennis Club, where he made many great friends. He spent many years dedicating his extra time teaching and traveling with his children to tennis tournaments around the country. There were many things that were of great importance to him during his life, but the most important things were the education of his children, attending sporting events, playing sports, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his two sons, George Edward Schwing, Jr. and his wife, Bonnie, of Baton Rouge, and Eric Christopher Schwing, Sr. and his wife, Lissa, of Mandeville; his daughter, Jeanne Schwing Schoeffler and her husband, Todd, of Lafayette; three brothers, Francis Paul Schwing, Pierre Schwing, and James Schwing, all of New Iberia; four sisters, Mary Robbins, Anna Louise Allain and her husband, Richard, Therese Broussard, and Henri Dougherty, all of New Iberia; and ten grandchildren, Eric Christopher Schwing, Jr., Caroline Elizabeth Schoeffler, Lauren Alexandra Schoeffler, Jean-Paul Schwing Schoeffler, Mary Lynn Schwing, Benjamin Luke Schwing, Emma Yvonne Schwing, Anna Claire Schwing, Mia Elizabeth Schwing, and Ainsley Kate Schwing. He was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet Hebert Schwing; his parents, John Elmer Schwing, Sr. and Anna Blanchet Schwing; and two brothers, Reverend Fr. John E. Schwing, Jr., S.J., ;and Jules B. Schwing. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday and continue at 8 a.m. on Monday until 10:30 a.m. A rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening. Pallbearers will be Todd Schoeffler, Jules A. Schwing, Edmond Schwing, John E. Schwing, III, Paul Hebert, Jr., and Luke Hebert. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul, Pierre and James Schwing, Richard Allain, Roy Forsander, Ron Lapp, and members of the Olivier Lawn Tennis Club - his lifelong friends. The family would like to thank Dr. Kantarjian, Dr. Deborah Johnson, M. D. Anderson Medical Staff, and the Our Lady of Lourdes 5th floor oncology staff. Memorial contributions may be made to, Catholic High School of New Iberia, c/o Development Department, 1301 De LaSalle Drive, New Iberia, La 70560, Cathedral Carmel School, 848 St. John St., Lafayette, LA 70501, or St. Paul's School, P. O. Box 928, Covington, LA 70434. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, (337.365.3331) is in charge of arrangements.