Rev. John Charles Swanson, age 58, of Janesville, died after a brief battle with cancer on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at UW Hospital, Madison. He was born in Janesville on Aug. 15, 1954, the son of Paul and Ruth (Butler) Swanson. John received his Bachelor of Science in Forestry from UW-Stevens Point and his Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. He married Jane Ann Van Dinter in Brown Deer, WI on Aug. 21, 1976. John and Jane served with Campus Crusade for Christ from 1977 to 1997 at Michigan Tech. University, UW-LaCrosse, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. John began pastoring River Hills Community Church in Janesville, WI in 1997. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, reading, cycling, and running. John loved visiting his father 's homestead in Minong, WI, and vacationing each summer in Door County. John dearly cherished ministering to his congregation at River Hills, spending time with his family, especially playing with his five grandsons, and caring for his disabled son, Jared. Above all else, John loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and yearned that others would come to know and love Jesus so that God might be glorified. Through the trials that John faced on this earth, he often encouraged himself and others with Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Rev. John is survived by his loving wife, Jane Swanson; 6 children: Jared Swanson, Justin (Anne) Swanson of Lexington, KY, Julia (Mike) Hess of Janesville, Jordan (Stephanie) Swanson of Mukwonago, WI, Joelle (Garrett DeMeyer, fiancé) Swanson of Milwaukee, and Jaimee Swanson of Janesville; 5 grandchildren: Maxwell, Evan, Liam, Declan, and Griffin; mother, Ruth Swanson of Oregon, WI; 4 siblings: Grace (Mark) Thomsen of Milwaukee, Eric (LaVonne) Swanson of Madison, Ed (Melissa) Swanson of Mexico, and Kyle (Darlene) Swanson of De Pere; many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends. John was preceded in death by his father, Paul Swanson, on May 12, 2011. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at RIVER HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2843 W. Court St., Janesville, with Rev. Steve Krug and Rev. Tom Suchy officiating. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials may be made to River Hills Community Church. SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family.
