Joe W Swaar

Joe W. Swaar, 81, of Mason City, passed away at 11:25p.m., Monday, February 9, 2015 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. He was born March 19, 1933 in rural Mason City to Lloyd and Lois (Fink) Swaar. After graduating from Mason City High School in 1950, he served in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. He married Helen Wharram on October 9, 1955 in Mason City. Joe was a farmer in Mason City until he retired in 1999. He then enrolled in the Commissioned Lay Pastor training program of the Presbyterian Church USA and served churches in Rock Creek and Green Valley, where he officiated at several baptisms, marriages and funerals. He also preached in 20 central Illinois communities. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Lois Swaar. He is survived by wife Helen, daughters Kay (Tom) Kelly of Western Springs, IL, Gail (Mark) Dunham of Decatur, IL and Jill (Roger) Dold of Westmont, IL and eight grandchildren: Kevin (Anna) and Andy Kelly, Adam, Blaise (Stefanie) and Vince Carie, Grace Dunham, and Paige and Mark Dold. His brother, Donald (Margaret) Swaar, of Mason City and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. Joe was a lifelong Christian serving as Sunday School teacher, elder and deacon and was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church of Mason City and the Forest City Community Church of Forest City. Joe was a member and past President of the Mason County Farm Bureau, and was an assistant leader of the Pleasant Workers 4-H club for many years. He was a member of the Ansar Shrine, the New Salem Shrine Club and past Master of the Mason City Lodge no. 403. He was a 32nd degree Mason. He and Helen enjoyed traveling, to Hawaii, Cancun, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Panama and U.S. sites, starting with their honeymoon in Biloxi, Mississippi. Joe was an avid fisherman and loved to laugh almost as much as he loved to eat. He treasured his family, taught his daughters to love animals and tried -- unsuccessfully -- to make farmers out of all of his sons-in-law and grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Forest City Community Church on Saturday, February 14, 2 to 4 p.m., with Masonic rites at 3:45 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Sunday, February 15 at 1 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Mason City followed by funeral services celebrating his life at 2 p.m. Graveside services with military rites at the Mason City Cemetery will follow. Memorials may be made to United Presbyterian Church in Mason City, Illinois, or Forest City Community Church in Forest City, Illinois or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Joe W Swaar

March 19, 1933 - February 9, 2015

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