Donald Wayne Swanson's Obituary
Donald W. Swanson, age 93, passed away Monday, October 29, 2018. He was born November 20, 1924 in Muskegon to Gustave and Louise (Dohm) Swanson and was a life resident. Bud was a veteran of the U.S. Army Infantry 1943-45 during World War II and acted as a Communication Sergeant under combat conditions in the European Theater of Operations. He supervised, instructed, and assisted personnel of a section in the maintenance, upkeep, and continuance of vital communications. Bud received a purple heart with 2 clusters for injuries received during active combat. When he returned from war, he married the former Mary Esther Panici on November 17, 1945 in Muskegon. Bud worked over 45 years for Sealed Power Corporation and retired as a Tool Inspector in 1988. Bud had a passion for cars – especially Mustangs. He attended the former St. Jean de Baptiste Catholic Church for many years with his wife, Mary. He was also a member of the Charles A. Conklin American Legion Post #28 in Grand Haven. SURVIVORS include his wife of 72 years, Mary Swanson of Muskegon; 3 daughters, Louise (David) Randall, Bette (Thomas) Erickson, Barbara Swanson all of Spring Lake; 7 grandchildren, Shannon (Chad) Wight, Amanda (Robert) Tuck, Mary (Thomas) Marchese, Sarah (Diego) Luna, Angela (Eric) Curtis, Kyle Moblo, Jillian (Shad) Prechtl; 18 great-grandchildren, Hannah (Cody), Sayge, Sienna, Jade, Robby, Gianna, Anthony, Rocco, Onnolee, Diego, Olivia, Julia, Rose, Madeleine, Gretchen, Joel Donald, Vivian, and Milo; and 2 brothers-in-law, Lewis Panici and Augie Panici. He was preceded in death by his parents, and 1 sister, Marge Jeffery. A MEMORIAL SERVICE with Military Honors will be held 11:00 AM Friday, November 2, 2018 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., (231) 798-1100 with his grandson, Rev. Chad Wight and Deacon Bill Cook co-officiating. VISITATION will be held 6-8 PM Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday. MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans Wood-Tazelaar Post #11 in Muskegon. Sign the guestbook online at www.sytsemafh.com
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