Harry D Sweely

Harry Daniel Sweely, of Newville, PA, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 in Carlisle, PA. Born on July 19, 1932 in Williamsport, PA, he was the son of Harry P. and Kathryn M. Sweely (Kuntz). The family, including sister June and brother Tom, moved to Lemoyne, PA where Harry graduated from the Lemoyne High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy as a medical corpsman during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Shippensburg State Teachers College and a Master of Administration from Pennsylvania State University. He returned to Shippensburg State College as a teacher in the Rowland Laboratory School, later becoming its director. He received a doctorate in psychology from the University of Maryland in 1967 and joined the faculty at Shippensburg State College, later serving as a professor and department chair for many years. He was a professional member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and was a licensed Psychologist and School Psychologist. Harry also served as a school board director of the Shippensburg Area School District in the late 1970s.

Harry and Ginny were avid travelers visiting the far corners of the world. He loved working with his hands—constructing a mountain home for retirement, designing and building furniture, bird houses, lawn decorations and other novelty items which he gifted to family and friends. Harry was a dedicated volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, helping to build and renovate dozens of houses locally. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle and the Carlisle Country Club where he and Ginny enjoyed golf and developed many lasting friendships.

Harry is survived by his high school sweetheart and spouse of 70 years, Virginia (Schell) and his children H. Douglas Sweely (Lori) and Jill Leisten (Ross). He thoroughly enjoyed his “knucklehead” grandchildren, Kurt Sweely (Heidi), Kate Sweely, Madeline Doss (Kyle), Rachel Erskine (Jacob), and four great-grandchildren. 

Professional services are entrusted to Hoffman Funeral Home, Carlisle, PA. Interment will be January 12th,2025, at 1:00 pm at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider contributing in memory of Dr. Harry Sweely to the Shippensburg University Foundation. Checks should be made payable to the SU Foundation/Dr. Harry D. and Virginia Schell Sweely Scholarship Fund and can be mailed to: Shippensburg University Foundation, 500 Newburg Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257. Gifts can also be made online at tinyurl.com/SUFSweelyScholarship .