Prince Swamickan

Prince Swamickan

Oskaloosa. Reverend Prince Swamickan, 71, of Oskaloosa died Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born on June 21, 1939, in Tamil Nadu, Nagercoil, South India, the son of Swamickan and Mathumal. He graduated from high school in India. On March 17, 1966, he was united in marriage to Leela Philip in India. Prince served in Child Evangelism Fellowship of India for 30 years (1960 – 1990). From 1981 -1990 he served as the National Director of Child Evangelism Fellowship of India. He moved to the United States in 1990 to further his education at Vennard College in University Park. While attending Vennard he served the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Iowa on a part time basis. From 1993-1994 he served as a visiting pastor at the Disciples of Christ Christian Church in Washington, Iowa. In 1994 he graduated from Vennard College and served as visiting pastor for the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa. In 1996 he was appointed as full time minister at the First Baptist Church in Oskaloosa, a position he held until 1998. He earned his Masters in Pastoral Studies from Faith Baptist Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa in 1998. From 2000 to 2004 he served as pastor at the Island and Letts United Methodist Churches, and from 2004 until his retirement in 2006 he served as the senior pastor at the Zearing United Methodist Church. They moved back to Oskaloosa in late 2010. Prince had a lifelong passion for learning and serving the Lord. He loved to preach, study the Bible, and attend meetings and seminars. He enjoyed fishing, and traveling all over the world: Holland, London, Germany, Israel, Cyprus, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Canada.

His family includes his wife Leela Prince of Oskaloosa; a son and his wife: Samuel and Mercy Suja Prince of India; a daughter: Angeline Prince of Oskaloosa; two grandchildren: Steve Prince and Selina Prince; a foster grandson: Reuben; a sister: Cicily S. of South India; and many cousins nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 17, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend William Poland officiating. Burial will be in the University Park Cemetery. The Bates Funeral chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Thursday after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be present from 6-8 Thursday evening to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the family.

Source: Bates Funeral Chapel