Life Story for John Swan
John W. Swan was born April 19, 1933, to the late Wesley and Gracie Swan. He left this world peacefully with family members gathered at his bedside on March 8, 2021, at the age of 87.
Though John loved to hunt, fish, and spend time outside, he would not want these interests to define him. He would rather be defined by his love for others and the names of it: Daddy, grandad, brother, Uncle Jay, JW, or Bro. Swan. He was an easy man to love and loved his family and all people unconditionally. John had a special gift of making everyone feel welcome. He allowed God to love others through him regardless of person or circumstance. If you hurt, he hurt for you. If you were happy, he rejoiced and laughed with you. All who knew John knew his meek and humble kindness and knew he loved with every fiber of his being. John’s heart was full of love for God, and he radiated joy and peace with every step of his journey. John’s goodness spilled over even in the midst of his suffering to those who wronged him; he forgave easily. In summary, John was as gentle and compassionate as they come.
John was a man of temperance, a faithful man who prayed every day up until the last days of his life that his grandchildren would all become children of God. He rejoiced at their spiritual births. He also prayed that each of his grandsons would become preachers—even knowing the hardships of preaching the truth. Even so, John recognized that his calling was worth every heartache and tear, to spread the Gospel to a lost and dying world. John knew the Lord and the blessings of the Lord. After his love for his Savior, was the love of his beloved wife and family. His quiver filled with children. His life was full of family gatherings with little arms around his neck and grandbabies in his lap—even after they became difficult to hold near the end of his life. He will be greatly missed by his family—loved but never forgotten. John's spiritual fruit was mature, ripe, and ready to be picked. He served his time on this earth well, his race is now complete. John entrusts each of us with his legacy to carry the torch until we are called home.
John was preceded in death by his son John Paul Swan; father Wesley Nathaniel Swan and mother Grace Tyler (Boatman) Swan; his brothers: Leon Swan, Marvin Swan, Donnie Swan, and Lester Swan; sister Lavern Swan; nephews: Donnie Swan, David Swan, Ricky Swan, and Johnny Swan; nieces: Donna Sue Cassidy and Dorene Cantrell.
John was survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris J. Swan, his dearly loved sister Hazel MacLean and brother Herman Dale Swan; his children, Timothy (Teresa) Swan, Mary (John) Rychtarik; grandchildren: Greg (Jessica) Swan, Michele (Billy) Newnum, Alicia Christopherson, Ashley (Nataniel) Coffman, Grace Ann Swan, Kelsey (Shawn) Landis, Tyler Shrader, Brody Hensley, Kimberley Swan, Stephanie (Zach) Callahan, Courtney (Daniel) Littell, CJ (Savannah) Rychtarik, Karissa (Rodney) Hannah; great-grandchildren: Kaylee (Matt) Conner, Savannah, Sierra, Hannah, Noah, Andrew, Gabriel, Michael, Joseph, Cayelyn, Kaisyn, Liam, Josie, Maddix, Mylee, Remington, Keegan, Eli, Ben, Hezekiah, Charlotte, Harlie, Kayden, Emma, Gunner; and great-great-grandson, Titus. John was also survived by a host of nephews, nieces, family, and friends.
Though John loved to hunt, fish, and spend time outside, he would not want these interests to define him. He would rather be defined by his love for others and the names of it: Daddy, grandad, brother, Uncle Jay, JW, or Bro. Swan. He was an easy man to love and loved his family and all people unconditionally. John had a special gift of making everyone feel welcome. He allowed God to love others through him regardless of person or circumstance. If you hurt, he hurt for you. If you were happy, he rejoiced and laughed with you. All who knew John knew his meek and humble kindness and knew he loved with every fiber of his being. John’s heart was full of love for God, and he radiated joy and peace with every step of his journey. John’s goodness spilled over even in the midst of his suffering to those who wronged him; he forgave easily. In summary, John was as gentle and compassionate as they come.
John was a man of temperance, a faithful man who prayed every day up until the last days of his life that his grandchildren would all become children of God. He rejoiced at their spiritual births. He also prayed that each of his grandsons would become preachers—even knowing the hardships of preaching the truth. Even so, John recognized that his calling was worth every heartache and tear, to spread the Gospel to a lost and dying world. John knew the Lord and the blessings of the Lord. After his love for his Savior, was the love of his beloved wife and family. His quiver filled with children. His life was full of family gatherings with little arms around his neck and grandbabies in his lap—even after they became difficult to hold near the end of his life. He will be greatly missed by his family—loved but never forgotten. John's spiritual fruit was mature, ripe, and ready to be picked. He served his time on this earth well, his race is now complete. John entrusts each of us with his legacy to carry the torch until we are called home.
John was preceded in death by his son John Paul Swan; father Wesley Nathaniel Swan and mother Grace Tyler (Boatman) Swan; his brothers: Leon Swan, Marvin Swan, Donnie Swan, and Lester Swan; sister Lavern Swan; nephews: Donnie Swan, David Swan, Ricky Swan, and Johnny Swan; nieces: Donna Sue Cassidy and Dorene Cantrell.
John was survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris J. Swan, his dearly loved sister Hazel MacLean and brother Herman Dale Swan; his children, Timothy (Teresa) Swan, Mary (John) Rychtarik; grandchildren: Greg (Jessica) Swan, Michele (Billy) Newnum, Alicia Christopherson, Ashley (Nataniel) Coffman, Grace Ann Swan, Kelsey (Shawn) Landis, Tyler Shrader, Brody Hensley, Kimberley Swan, Stephanie (Zach) Callahan, Courtney (Daniel) Littell, CJ (Savannah) Rychtarik, Karissa (Rodney) Hannah; great-grandchildren: Kaylee (Matt) Conner, Savannah, Sierra, Hannah, Noah, Andrew, Gabriel, Michael, Joseph, Cayelyn, Kaisyn, Liam, Josie, Maddix, Mylee, Remington, Keegan, Eli, Ben, Hezekiah, Charlotte, Harlie, Kayden, Emma, Gunner; and great-great-grandson, Titus. John was also survived by a host of nephews, nieces, family, and friends.