Allan Ray Swanson

Allan Ray Swanson, 73, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2006 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Al was born March 14, 1933 in Buffalo, NY to John Harold and Lucille Ruth (McLaughlin) Swanson. He and his family lived for many New York locations before settling in Peoria, IL in 1945. On December 31, 1954, Al married Kaye LaVee Kline with whom he celebrated his 51st anniversary. After receiving his engineering degree from Bradley University, Al worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria until joining Clark Equipment in 1960. He retired in 1988. Al was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jack and Donald Swanson; and three nieces. In addition to his wife, Kaye LaVee, Al is survived by his four children; Kurt (Deb) Swanson of Coloma, Duane Kroboth of Kalamazoo, Carrie (Luis) Beltran of San Antonio, TX, and Sara Cessna of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Ryan Beltran, Nikki Cessna, Zack Cessna, Heather Swanson, Laura Kroboth, Paul Scheffer, Bobbie Jones, Lori Clinger and Monserrat, Galilea & Hector Oliva-Beltran; his great-grandchildren, Sadie, Nathan, Reilee, Mariah, Austin, Brandon and Kaytlin; brothers and sisters, Gerry (Ken) Pahel, Lucy DeMarce, Bill (Sandy) Swanson, and Donna (Stan) Carlson; brother-in-law, J.C. (Kris) Kline and sister-in-law Susie Swanson. He was also cherished by the entire Beltran family of San Antonio and Saltillo, Mexico and by his buddies, Ken, Gary, Fred, and Lee – “the best friends a man could have.” Al was a member of the First United Methodist Church of St. Joseph and the Lions Club of Fairplain. In addition to his family, Al’s greatest loves included time spent at his grandchildren’s many sporting events. He also enjoyed cooking, fishing, and hunting. We celebrate the fact that Al spent his last day on earth fishing.Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 8 P.M. at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev. Wade Panse officiating. An additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made the Lions of Fairplain, P.O. Box 643 St. Joseph or to the St, Joseph First United Methodist Church.