M. Samuel Schwartz entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, in Springettsbury Township, York County, PA, on February 14, 2023, at the age of 88 years. Sam was born on November 26, 1934, in Lanham, Prince George's County, MD, to Earl J. and Kathryn K (Hess) Schwartz. He was raised in York County, PA, living for some years in Pleasureville before the family moved to take up farm life in Hellam Township. His marriage to Rose Evangeline "Linny" Yoder on November 25, 1960, expanded the family that would travel with him through the ups and downs of business, church, and community life. Everyone who knew Sam well also knew that Linny was the singular love of his earthly life and the secret to keeping him rooted and somewhat on task in many things. Their shared faith in Jesus Christ eventuated in a lifestyle of kindness, encouragement, witness, and service to lonely and hurting people in their churches, families, and communities, as well as the training and instruction of their children along these lines. Sam lived to tell others about Jesus Christ. Sam's faith in Jesus also found expression in his membership in the Locust Grove and Red Lion Brethren in Christ church congregations in York County, PA, (in which he served at times as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher) and in his attendance with Dwight and Maria at Central Presbyterian Church in Towson, MD. He tacitly reminded everyone of his deep need for grace and forbearance in life by saying, in many situations, "I am better than I deserve." Among his various ministry and service activities, Sam served for many years on the board of the York Rescue Mission (now LifePath Christian Ministries) and enjoyed annually spearheading the packing of apples and potatoes for the Rescue Mission's effort to supply Thanksgiving food boxes to families in need in York County. While employing seasoned professionals in the areas of lawn and tree care, he also made space in his company for young individuals who wanted to learn to care for lawns, shrubs, trees, and customers. Conversation about the connection between his everyday work and his faith in Christ was always a possibility with old friends, new friends – nobody was really a stranger to Sam – customers, employees, and business associates alike. Sam was passionate, up to the very end, about planting "one more tree." One of his earthly callings, which was initially impressed upon him at the age of nine, was the care of lawns, shrubs, and trees. He attended Kreutz Creek Valley High School, Messiah College, and Penn State University's Turfgrass Management Program. And he worked for most of his career as the owner of Hemlock Lawn & Tree Company, based in the York area. He enthusiastically tutored anyone who would listen about best practices in the care of trees and shrubs, and especially enjoyed transplanting large trees. Sam is survived by three sons, Dwight (Maria) of Baltimore, MD, Leroy (Tracy) of York, PA, and Maurice (Denise) of Penn Hills, PA, and a daughter, Bethanne Schott (Matthew), of Felton, PA, eight grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law, and two great-grandchildren, as well as three siblings, Douglas J. Schwartz of Brentwood, TN, Luther E. Schwartz of Manheim, PA, and Susan E. Rice of Harrisburg, PA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Evangeline (Yoder) Schwartz, one of their daughters, whose name is known only in Heaven, his parents, Earl Joseph and Kathryn Kohler (Hess) Schwartz, and five siblings, Timothy C. Schwartz, Mark C. Schwartz, R. Marlin Schwartz, Glenn J. Schwartz, and L. Beverly Stein. He loved each member of his immediate family deeply and expressed deep affection as well for every one of his in-laws, nieces and nephews, their families, and a wide circle of uncles, aunts, cousins, and cousins-in-law. He is also survived by a long list of friends and acquaintances with whom he enjoyed sharing life, work, ministry, and/or worship. A viewing for Sam will take place on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 6 to 8 pm at Burg Funeral Home, Inc., 134 W. Broadway, Red Lion, PA, 17356. Burial will be private at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens at the convenience of the family. A Service of Worship, Remembrance and Witness to the Resurrection will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11 am at Stillmeadow Church of Nazarene, 400 Stillmeadow Ln, York, PA, 17404. The family will receive visitors at the church in the hour before the service. www.BurgFuneralHome.com Cemetery Susquehanna Memorial Gardens 250 Chestnut Hill Rd York PA Viewing Thursday, February 23, 2023 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Burg Funeral Home 134 W. Broadway Red Lion PA (717) 244-4567 (717)244-4299 Visitation Saturday, February 25, 2023 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Stillmeadow Church of Nazarene 400 Stillmeadow Lane York PA A Service of Worship,Remembrance and Witness to the Resurrection Saturday, February 25, 2023 11:00 AM - Stillmeadow Church of Nazarene 400 Stillmeadow Lane York PA Funeral Home Burg Funeral Home 134 W. Broadway Red Lion PA - 17356-2104 US (717) 244-4567 (717)244-4299