Ralph B. Swagerty, age 87, died Saturday, August 20, 2011 at Morton County Hospital, Elkhart, Kansas. He was born July 30, 1924 at Elkhart, Kansas the son of B.F. and Ella Mae (Webb) Swagerty.

Ralph was a lifetime resident of Elkhart, Kansas. Ralph started working at the Ideal grocery store while in high school. He worked his way up to manager. Ralph owned and operated the IGA store for 40 years. Ralph was also one of the original owners of Gem Dandy. Ralph was a member of the First Church of God. He was a member and former president of the Elkhart Chamber of Commerce and was a Lions Club member.

Ralph married Helen White on November 26, 1945 in Elkhart, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include one daughter; Sheryl Smith of Elkhart, KS, one brother; Harold Swagerty of Hugoton, KS, one sister; Alice Mae McKinney of Tulsa, OK, three grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at First Church of God, Elkhart, Kansas, with Pastor Gary Murrell officiating. Burial will follow at the Elkhart Cemetery, Elkhart, Kansas. Friends may call Monday, August 22, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Garnand Funeral Home, Elkhart, Kansas. Memorials may be given to First Church of God, Elkhart, Kansas in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.