Avery K. Schwinn , age 87 and a lifelong resident of Elwood and Leisure, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at his home.  He was born September 26, 1935 in Elwood, the son of Earl and Opal (Heath) Schwinn.  Avery was a 1953 graduate of Summitville High School and later attended Purdue University to study agriculture.  He married Paula S. Heston on November 26, 1960, and they shared over 60 years of marriage together before her passing in 2021.  Avery was a farmer all of his life and absolutely loved everything about farming.  He also worked in skilled trades at Delco Remy in Anderson for 44 years and retired in 1998.

Avery was a member of Harmony Christian Church in Leisure, but he recently had been attending Center Christian Church in Fairmount and visited First United Methodist Church in Elwood occasionally.  He was a longtime member of the Quincy Masonic Lodge #230 in Elwood where he had formerly served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge.  He was known for staying very active throughout his life.  Avery enjoyed collecting antique tractors, working with model trains, playing the organ, and solving daily crossword puzzles.  Recently, he enjoyed dancing classes and going to regular exercise therapy.  He will especially be remembered for his devotion to caring for his wife in later years and religiously taking her to dialysis treatments several times per week.  Avery was very proud to send all his children to Purdue and see them all graduate.  He especially loved socializing, telling interesting stories, and always had a good sense of humor.  Avery will be dearly missed.

Avery's family legacy includes three children, Kimberly (Charles) Nelson of Santa Rosa, CA, Kevin (Teri) Schwinn of Fairmount, and Rodney (Lisa) Schwinn of Summitville; two brothers, Dewey (Kay) Schwinn of New Castle and Peter (Shirley) Schwinn of Elwood; 6 grandchildren, Sarah Nelson, Laura (Goram) Feric, Kyle (Becky) Schwinn, Laura Schwinn (Colby Hixson), Abbi (Brice) Moore, and Andrew (Morgan) Schwinn; a great-grandson, Truitt Moore; and several nephews.  Avery was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Paula Schwinn.

A funeral service celebrating Avery's life will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with Rev. Kent Stookey officiating.  Burial will follow in Forrestville Cemetery in rural Summitville.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 4 to 7 pm at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home and will include a Masonic memorial service at 6:30 pm.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Center Christian Church in Fairmount.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.