Army Specialist Matthew Tyler Swallow, born April 8, 1980, in Greenville, Ohio, beloved husband of Amanda Grillot) Swallow; beloved son of Bonita (Roessner) Swallow of Versailles and Richard Swallow of Yorkshire.
He was a 1999 graduate of Versailles High School, Matt also studied High Performance Mechanics at UNOH College in Lima. He had been a welder and fabricator at Maria Stein Welding. Matt enjoyed working on cars, as well as anything with an engine. He also enjoyed fishing.
On December 10, 2010, Matt married Amanda (Grillot) Swallow who survives. Also surviving are five children: Ethan Swallow of Greenville, Lauryl Grillot and Avery Swallow at home, and Reanna and Tayla Meeker of St. Marys; two siblings: Justin Swallow and fiancee Betsy Lyons of Covington and Jessica Swallow and fiance Michael Oliver of Versailles; grandparents, William and Frances Swallow of Yorkshire; mother-in-law, Vicky Grillot of Yorkshire; brothers and sisters-in-law: Christina and Kevin Huelsmeyer of Paulding and Aaron Grillot of Yorkshire.
He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, “Flowers” Donald Grillot; grandparents, Bruno and Belvajean Roessner; and uncles, Bruce Roessner and Randy Swallow.
He joined the United States Army at age 26. He served in the US Army Special Operations, 160th SOAR Aviation Regiment, based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He served tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). He had been a member of the St. Marys VFW. He was discharged in July, 2010. Matt struggled with his PTS for five years, when he finally succumbed to his illness.
Matt was fearless and loved his family more than life. Lost, but never Forgotten.
SPC Matthew Tyler Swallow lost his battle with PTS on June 2, 2015. He was 35 years old.