John D. Swanke, age 74 of Shawano, passed away on Monday, August 18, 2014 in Appleton. Born on July 13, 1940 in Tigerton, he is the son of the late John S. and Gladys (Topp) Swanke and his step-father, the late Francis W. Thompson. Following his graduation from Clintonville High School in 1958, John went on to receive his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Wisconsin Madison. On November 6, 1965, John was united in marriage to Jane Way in Tigerton. John and Jane lived in several locations throughout the Midwest and West Coast before moving to Shawano in 1975, where he was hired as a general manager by the Hotz Manufacturing Company, a subsidiary of the Tigerton Lumber Company. He worked in the lumber and wood products industry for most of his life, with his most recent serving as president of Tigerton Lumber Company. John was involved with many organizations in the community. He served as a member and was on the board of the Shawano Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mielke Arts Board, and the Shawano County Economic Progress Board. John enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors at the First National Bank in Tigerton since 1993. He was a member of the City of Shawano People with a Disability Committee, the President of a youth swim team at the Shawano Park and Recreation Department and was also a Cub Scout leader. One of his favorite activities was consulting with Project Business through the junior high school. After retiring, he helped found the Shawano Community Swim Club, Inc. where he served as treasurer and enjoyed helping with fundraising. John donated his time to many things and will be deeply missed by his family as well as all who knew him. John is survived by: his wife of 48 years, Jane; his son and daughter-in-law, John W. and Hannah Swanke; his daughter, Sara W. Swanke; his grandson, Shane J. Swanke; and numerous other relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father and his sister, Suzanne Sengstock. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano with the Rev. Luke Ferris officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, August 22, 2014 at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano from 4:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and again at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. A private burial will take place in the Union Cemetery in Tigerton. Memorial funds may be directed to the Shawano Area Community Foundation or the Shawano Community Swim Club. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com