COL James Franklin (Jim) Schweikert (Ret.), 79, of Marietta, passed away Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at the Cleveland Clinic after a short illness. Jim was born and raised in Marietta and graduated from Marietta High School in 1950. He was an Eagle Scout in the Boys Scouts of America. He attended Marietta College where he joined Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He transferred to Ohio University and joined ROTC to begin his military training. Jim graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts in General Chemistry and Russian and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. Jim graduated the Basic Ordinance Course at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. Jim graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Organic Chemistry from Memphis State College (University of Memphis). He returned to Marietta in 1959 to manage Marietta Chemical Products, a family business since 1934. In 1974 Jim graduated with distinguished honors from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and was appointed Commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 174th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade. Jim retired from the military in 1984 with the rank of Colonel. Jim served the City of Marietta as a Councilman for twenty-three years and served as Mayor for four years. Jim was an active member in Civitan. He was also a board member of Showboat Drama Incorporated and helped bring the Becky Thatcher to Marietta. Jim was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. Jim was one of two children born to the late Walter Ray Schweikert and Ester Meek Schweikert and was the beloved husband of Diane Garretson Schweikert for 56 years. Jim is survived by his wife Diane, beloved children Jana Winkhart and husband Brad Winkhart, and James Schweikert and wife Staci Schweikert, treasured grandchildren Seth and Lauren Winkhart and Thomas and Andrew Schweikert, his sister Rosemary Bartlett and her husband Frank Bartlett, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Elena Winkhart. Jim loved history, especially military history, and enjoyed travelling and being with his family. Jim touched the lives of many people with his humor and generosity. Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2011, at The Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home. Services will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011, at 2 pm at Christ United Methodist Church with the Rev. Donald Archer officiating. Burial will follow the services at Mound Cemetery, with full military honors. The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to www.woundedwarriorproject.org to further support their cause. Condolences may be sent to www.cawleyandpeoples.com.
