Edward James Swanstrom

Joni, Ella, Aretha,Tina & K.D., Ed loved female singers and then there was Jill, the love of his life. What she lacked in singing talent, she made up for in enthusiasm. At the age of 50 & after years of volunteering for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Ed shook things up by saying “goodbye” to 23 years in insurance to be “The Guy at the Y W CA” & marrying free-spirited Jill.

Ed, 73, of Chicago, Illinois, peacefully passed on August, 2, 2025. Born on February 10,1952 on Long Island, New York, he then lived in Phoenix & Los Angeles before making Chicago his forever home.

Ed is survived by wife Darryl Jill Swanstrom (née Bodnar), sister Maureen (Jack), brother Michael (Carmen), niece Kelsey, nephews Brian, Keith & Chase, four grand nieces & two grand nephews. He will be greatly missed by a gaggle of dear friends. For some, he was a brother & uncle, not by blood but by heart. As much as Ed loved people, he fell hard for his dog Shadow & Linda’s Cooper. The loss of Shadow left a large hole in his heart & Jill filled it. Ed was predeceased by his parents, Margaret (nee McGreevy) & Edward, whom he loved dearly.

A Celebration of Life to honor Ed’s, will take place in Chicago tentatively at the end of October, which is the month Jill finally realized Ed was asking her out.

Please sign the guest book below & be sure to provide your cell # & email to receive an invitation to Ed’s Celebration of Life. Thank you.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, IL