John Swan Obituary

John Swan, 86, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

John was born May 7, 1939, in Harrison, Wisconsin, the son of Cornelius and Mary (Dirkx) Swan. He graduated from Tomahawk High School with the class of 1957.

John married Elizabeth ‘Bettie’ Houck on May 28, 1960, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Harrison, WI. Together they bought a farm in the Town of Corning. Shortly after, John sent his small herd to his father’s farm in Harrison because he was called to active duty in the Army National Guard where he served state side in Washington state during the Berlin Crisis and into the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon returning home, John continued dairy farming and raised 6 children with Bettie. While farming, he attended classes at NRC and worked at various other jobs including Knispel & Latzig Implement, logging, and as a tax assessor for the Town of Corning. After almost 30 years farming, John drove semi-truck for County Concrete for several years until his retirement.

John was soft spoken and had a witty sense of humor, often offering a ‘one-liner’ or a joke pertaining to the conversation you were having with him. If you didn’t hear it the first time, you missed it. He had a big smile, a huge heart, and lived out his faith. He was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Parish and the Knights of Columbus.

John and Bettie had been foster parents for more than 30 youths over many years.

John cherished his grandchildren and during family gatherings was often found in the recliner with one or two of them napping in his arms.

John loved to attend his kids, and grandkids sports and school events, and was a fan of the Packers, Badger football, and Brewers.

He enjoyed playing Church and Bar league softball, horseshoes, and dartball as well as various bowling leagues. He and Bettie loved camping and later spent many years wintering in Ocala, Florida with several relatives and friends.

For the past 25 years, John battled the effects of Parkinson’s disease with a positive attitude. His wife, Bettie, passed in 2013, after a few years, he chose to live his final years at Bell Tower Residence enjoying the many activities, making new friends, and keeping up with old friends. Amazingly, he was able to participate in the Dream Flight in 2022, organized with the help of Bell Tower. John and his family were very grateful to the Bell Tower staff who provided the great care over the many years he lived there. Also thank you to Interim Hospice.

Survivors include his children, Gary (Lynda) Swan of Merrill, Rick (Wendy) Swan of Olin, Iowa, Don (Dawn) Swan, Marty (Sandy) Swan, Randy Swan, and Debbie (Mark) Weix all of Merrill; grandchildren, Chris (Erin) Swan, Adam (Emily) Swan, Jill (Garrett) Carlson, Ben Swan, Jake Swan, Josh (Britt) Swan, Stephanie (Nick) Koenig, Shayla Swan, Tyler (Hilary) Swan, Kyle (Ally) Swan, Brett Swan, Beth (Jeff) Steffek, Erin (Quinn) Conn, Elyse Weix, Molly Weix, Tim (Cortney) Swan, Nick (Alesha) Swan, and Katrina (Kerry) Muenchow; 24 great grandchildren; brother, Eugene (Ginny) Swan of Tomahawk; sisters, Bernadine Vadervest of Rhinelander and Mary (Joe) Zahringer of Tomahawk; and sister-in-law, Corrine Swan; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Bettie (Houck) Swan; parents; brother, Peter Swan; and sisters, Frances (Jim) Mabee and Agnes ‘Pat’ (Sam) Bernhardt; brother-in-law, Larry Vandervest; and Bettie’s siblings.

Donations in memory of John may be made to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Bell Tower Residence, or a Parkinson’s charity of your choice.

The funeral mass will be held at 11:30 A.M., Monday, July 14, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. Burial will take place in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. The visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Holy Cross Chapel at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.