Biography: Frank E. Swilling, Jr., of Little Rock, died September 29, 2007. He was born on July 9, 1924 in Little Rock to the late Frank and Ruth Clubb Swilling. Frank retired as a funeral director from Ruebel Funeral Home on December 31, 1987. He was a member of the Western Star Lodge, the Arkansas Consistory and Schimitar Shrine Temple. Frank was a charter member of St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock where he served as treasurer for many years. He was a past president of the Arkansas Funeral Director’s Association, the Arkansas Board of Burial Associations and a former member of the Optimist Club of Greater Little Rock. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnna Magness Swilling. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday at Pinecrest Memorial Park. Viewing will be held on Monday 10- 4 PM. The family would like to thank the staff of the Spring Creek Living Center in Cabot. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, 2417 N. Tyler, Little Rock, AR 72207 or to the Little Rock Zoo, 1 Jonesboro Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
In 1976 I bought out the last Christeson family member and joined my dad as a partner in the business here in Harrison. My father died the next year in 1977 and I would always look up Frank when I was at meetings for a little fatherly advise. Good humor, good cheer, good spirit, good advise and a comforting friend is what I found in Frank.
The funeral profession lost an excellent representive when he retired. There are always a few individuals who shape your life as you travel and Frank was one of mine.
I hope that I have passed on some of his character and respect for young people coming into the funeral profession. May his spirit and memory live in all of us forever.