Edward H. Swets Sr., 77, went to be with his Lord on Dec. 4, 2015, at Vintage on the Ponds, where he made his home for the past 17 months.
He struggled with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease for many years. Ed was born Nov. 12, 1938, in Phoenix, Ill., to Walter and Bernice (Torrenga) Swets. He moved to Delavan in 1952 and attended Delavan High School.
Ed married Mildred Bauch on June 27, 1958, at the Birnamwood Christian Reformed Church, with the Rev. Harvey Ouwinga officiating. At the time, Ed worked at the Delavan Post Office. He worked at various Sentry food stores for many years. His favorite job was his last one, working as dispatcher at the Delavan Police Department for nearly 18 years. Ed retired from there in June 2005. He said he would do the job all over again, as he enjoyed being able to help people. Ed was a member of the Delavan Christian Reformed Church. He had a very strong faith and served as elder, catechism teacher, and youth leader over the years. He served on the board at the Delavan Christian School and Faith Christian High School. He also served on the Darien Town Board.
Ed is survived by his wife, of 57 years, Millie; two daughters, Gwen Veltkamp, of Elizabeth, Ill., and Jackie (Jon) Sybesma, of Delavan; four sons, Edward Jr. (Joan) Swets, of Walworth, James (Sharon) Swets, of Manhattan, Mont., Steve (Lynn) Swets, of Ocala, Fla., and Jon (Stephanie) Swets, of Avalon; 28 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and one on the way; a sister, Judie (Elmer) Visscher, of South Dakota.; a brother, the Rev. Walter (Albertha) Swets, of Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Arlene Wahlen and Evelyn Lindberg; a twin brother “Hankie” who passed away as a young lad; stepfather, Harold Swets; and a special granddaughter, Rachel Swets.
Visitation will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Monroe Funeral Home, 604 E. Walworth Ave., and an hour before the service Saturday at the church. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Delavan Christian Reformed Church, 850 Oak St., with the Rev. Dan Roeda officiating.
Burial will take place at Spring Grove Cemetery in Delavan. Memorials can be directed to Delavan Christian School. Special thanks to Paula Guadian, former co-worker and dear friend who faithfully visited Ed for many years and whom Ed considered as family. The family would also like to thank the staff at Vintage on the Ponds for the excellent care. Thanks also to Nancy Ehley, staff and volunteers from Mercy Hospice and Leslie from Mercy Home Health.
Monroe Funeral Home is assisting the family.
