Bruce L. Swango

CHARLESTON, IL - Bruce Lee Swango, age 86 of Charleston, left for Heaven on Sunday (February 24, 2008) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday (February 28) at Central Christian Church, 915 W. Lincoln Avenue in Charleston, with Mr. John McArthur officiating. Interment, with Military Rites conducted by the Honor Guard of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon. Visitation will be held on Wednesday (February 27) from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive in Charleston. Bruce was born in Charleston Township in Coles County, Illinois on January 16, 1922 to Ottice and Estella (Jones) Swango. He was united in marriage to Mary June Werden on May 31, 1945 in Charleston. He is survived by Mary June, his loving and devoted wife of sixty-two years; two children, Max Swango and his wife Theresa of Mattoon and Susan K. Smith and her husband Howard of La Porte, Indiana; six grandchildren, Michelle Neal and her husband Tom, Kurt Swango and his wife Christy, Eric Swango and his wife Danielle and Scott Gossett and his wife Carrie, all of Charleston, Amy Osborne and her husband Tony of Mattoon and Tamara Metzger and her husband David of La Porte; nineteen great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to his parents Bruce was preceded in death by a brother, Lloyd Swango and two sisters, Wanda Warner and Mary Louise Rule. Bruce was a graduate of Charleston High School, attended Creighton University in Missouri during his military service where he received his pilot's training, and later attended LaSalle University in Chicago where he received his Accounting Certification. He was a World War II Veteran proudly serving his country in the United States Army Air Corps as a B-17 Bomber Pilot with the 368th Squadron, 306th Bombardment of the 8th Air Force, returning his original crew safely home. Bruce was a life-long farmer, working the family farm located north of Charleston. In addition he served as a state-wide auditor with the Illinois Agricultural Association. Bruce also wore many other hats - as a Justice of the Peace, a township supervisor for both Seven Hickory and Morgan Townships, as an election judge and as a familiar voice on WEIC Radio broadcasting the daily market report. Bruce's devotion and steadfast love for the Lord was apparent. He was a long-time faithful member of the Bushton Christian Church and after moving into town due to his health, he and Mary June soon became active members of Central Christian Church in Charleston. Bruce served as an elder for both congregations. He was a member of The Gideons International and his commitment to the distribution of Bibles to hospitals, hotels and various other locations was a ministry he was deeply devoted to. Other memberships included the Charleston Rotary Club, the Coles County Farm Bureau of which he was past President, a life member of the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592, the American Legion in Oakland, Illinois and the Coles County Genealogical Society, an organization which he was instrumental in assisting with the transfer of their records to the Charleston Public Library. He was also an Honorary Member of the 8th Air Force Museum located in Savannah, Georgia. Bruce was also a big supporter of ethanol and worked diligently to establish projects in support of its use. Bruce's sense of humor accompanied by his warm and recognizable smile endeared him to many. He cherished his family and was a loving husband to Mary June and a devoted father to Max and Susan. His six grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren held a special place in his heart and were always certain to broaden his smile. Bruce was dedicated to his family and community and was strong and steadfast in his faith – well done, thou good and faithful servant. Bruce's family has requested that Memorials in his honor be made to The Gideons International. Gifts may be left on the Memorial Table at the Visitation or Services or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920.