Karl Lee Swartout

Karl Lee Swartout, 80, of Mooresville, passed from this earthly life surrounded by family and friends on Monday, December 30, 2024 at Hendricks Regional Hospital in Danville. He was born in Richmond, Virginia on December 7, 1944 to the late Glen Lundy Swartout and Iris (Coleman) Swartout.

He graduated from Harmony High School in Farmington, Iowa with the class of 1962. He continued his education at the General Motors Institute earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. For 42 years, he worked for General Motors at Allison Transmissions in Indianapolis. He also owned a Bridgestone motorcycle shop in Indianapolis for a few years.

Karl married his best friend and the love of his life, Susan Watson, on June 18, 1967. They have enjoyed over fifty-seven years of marriage and together had three daughters and one son.

To say it simply, Karl loved things with wheels and motors. He enjoyed muscle cars and all types of motorcycles. He and his brothers bonded with a mutual love of motor sports and together raced vintage motorcycles. He was a member of the American Motorcycle Association, the AHRMA, and the Indiana State Chevelle Club. Calling Karl handy would be an understatement; He could fix anything and everything. In his later years, he enjoyed tinkering with his 3D printer. 

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends including his wife, Susan Swartout of Mooresville; daughters, Brenda Brooks of Mooresville, Jill Crail of Camby, and Wendy (husband, Chris) Power of Sheridan; son, Gary (wife, Jesse) Swartout of Mooresville; brother, Roger (wife, Marcia) Swartout of Danville; sister, Renee (husband, Dave) Swartout – Bennett of Rockledge, Florida; sister-in-law, Barbara Swartout of Indianapolis; ten grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. 

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Iris Swartout; and brother, James Swartout.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Friday, January 3rd from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. Karl’s Life Celebration® Service will begin at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 4th at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in White Lick Cemetery following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions made to Churches In Mission, https://churchesinmission.org/.

Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.