Roland Schwanke

January 27, 1935 - June 27, 2025

Roland Schwanke, of Roanoke, IL, and long-time resident of Gridley, IL, passed on to eternal life on Friday, June 27. Roland was born on January 27, 1935, to Walter and Sophie Schwanke of Varna and Streator. They and a brother, Donald, preceded him in death. He had two nephews, Scott (Jan) Schwanke of Deerfield, IL, and Paul (Ginna

Shannon) of Eau Claire, Michigan. He also had two grandnieces, Lauren Schwanke of Deerfield and Beth Schwanke (Eric Bukstein) of Pittsburgh, as well as two great-grandnieces, Emma and Madeline Bukstein of Pittsburgh.

Roland was raised on a farm near Varna. He attended Varna and Mid-County Schools, then received his bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and master's and PhD from Iowa State University. He served two years in the United States Army Corps of Engineers in Texas. He was employed at the Pendleton, Oregon, Agriculture

Experimental Station as an agronomist and at Cargill Seed Company in Pontiac. In semi-retirement he worked at Carle-BroMenn Medical Center in Bloomington. Roland was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roanoke. He volunteered for twenty-five years at Home Sweet Home for their Thanksgiving and Christmas food distributions. He taught Bible classes at the El Paso Health Care Center and the six Mosaic Homes in Dwight and Pontiac for many years. He was a foster parent for over sixty years to many young people in foreign countries through the Foster Parent Plan Organization of New York. Roland enjoyed gardening and grew many potted and cut flowers and vegetables. Over many years he sold them to local florists and at Pontiac and Bloomington Farmers' Markets.

A graveside service will be held privately in the coming days. Memorials may be made to Mosaic in Pontiac (110 W. Water Street, Suite 2, Pontiac, IL 61764) or to a charity of the donor's choice.

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Published by The Pantagraph on Jul. 9, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Roland Schwanke

Sponsored by Barto Funeral Home - Spring Valley.

7 Entries

Kathy Knapp

July 10, 2025

Roland was the salt of the earth. What a humble and kind gentleman he was. I loved the days I would come to work and his buckets of beauty would be lined up greeting me. The best part of the day was getting to talk with Roland when he picked up his buckets. I called him Grandpa Roland. I knew him from the time I was 18 and started working at a flower shop in college until the day I retired five years ago. Never a complaint from a true servant of our Lord. Rest in paradise Roland.

Maribeth Lartz

July 9, 2025

Roland is enjoying being with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Although we are so happy for his new home in heaven, we will very much miss his humble, kind and positive demeanor here on earth. Roland was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington where we met him and he also provided years of fresh cut flowers to Casey´s Garden Shop and florist in Bloomington, Il., that was owned by my husband and his parents. Roland never complained and had such a positive spirit. He had such sparkling blue eyes. One of my favorite things about Roland was how he always said, "Thank you very much". We will miss him.

Susan Litwiller

July 9, 2025

Condolences to his family and all those blessed to have known Roland. He was such a a kind and humble man. Nothing stopped him from serving and caring for others. He was an agronomist in every sense as he was always sowing seeds of truth and kindness and compassion.

Diane Giermann

July 9, 2025

To Roland's Family, I'm sorry for your loss of your Uncle. I first met Roland thru LLL, Lutheran Layman League, when I was Zone Secretary. He transferred to my church Trinity Lutheran, Bloomington. He loved Our Lord and would help spread the Gospel. He had beautiful flowers to sell at the Farmers Market in Bloomington. May Jesus hold you in His arms during this difficult time. Blessings.

Wendy Blunier

July 7, 2025

Roland was a bright light wherever he went. So kind and wonderful example of God's love to everyone. He is truly missed. Thoughts and prayers to his nephews and their families

Martin n Marsha Vogel

July 3, 2025

We knew Roland thru our church at Trinity. So sorry to learn of his passing but I can't say enough wonderful things about him. He was the kindness sweetest man ever.
He brought joy to anyone he met. He certainly will be missed by so many. I know he has a new body in heaven. May all the wonderful memories give you peace.

July 2, 2025

Our sympathy goes to all the family at this time of parting. Roland will certainly be missed at the Home.

-Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke Staff and Residents

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