Don G. Swoverland

Compassionate, sincere, honest and giver were just a few words to describe the character of such a great man like Don G. "D.G." Swoverland. He was a devout Christian who loved Jesus and you could tell by his actions. He was always willing to serve and help others. He was easy to talk with and made everyone feel comfortable. He had a loving heart and would put others before himself.

With the United States being involved in WWII, much of the country was adapting life to help with the war efforts. The U.S. auto manufacturers turned car production into production of aircraft engines and bomb making equipment. 1943 marked the completion of the Pentagon and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C., the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was created as well as the invention of the famous toy slinky. On June 6, Donald F. and Kathleen C. (Carriger) Swoverland were happy to announce another event of 1943 as they announced the birth of their son, Don G. Swoverland in Columbus, Ohio.

Growing up, D.G. and his family moved to Indiana and lived in Indianapolis and Columbia City before his high school years began. They would move to Churubusco in time for him to attend Churubusco High School and graduated in 1961. While growing up, D.G. loved sports and enjoyed playing basketball. After graduating, he enlisted and served two years in the U.S. Navy.

When he returned home, his mom had the idea of D.G. meeting a young gal whom she worked with at Linvill Clinic. Jaralee "Jeri" Maggart was a nurse's aide at the time and after Kathleen told her about D.G. she decided to give him a chance. Within six months, they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together and make many memories. D.G. and Jeri were married on January 4, 1964 at Oak Grove Church of God in Columbia City.

D.G. started his sales career in Marion working at his father's shoe store, Swoverland Shoes and would eventually transfer to Fort Wayne. After their first child was born, they moved to Churubusco where they lived for the next 22 years, moving to Fort Wayne in 2004. D.G. would spend over 25 years in sales at Sears. He then was a salesperson at Klopfenstein Home Rooms Furniture for 10 years at their Lima Road store before retiring due to health concerns.

Even though he was hard worker, he always tried making time for his family. He was proud to have been a little league coach and loved fishing. In the summers, he and his dad along with his brother would take fishing trips to the upper peninsula of Michigan. Fishing with his grandchildren always brought a big smile to his face and anything that involved his family he loved. D.G. was always attended and supported his children and grandchildren in anything they did and he was their biggest fan.

In addition to fishing, he tinkered around, built bird houses, watched birds and played cards. D.G. was a member of Wallen Baptist Church. As his health declined, it was harder for him to attend church, but he always maintained a strong faith and talked to many people about religion and being a believer.

Life forever changed for D.G.'s loving family on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. At 8:15 p.m., at the age of 74, D.G. passed away at his home. Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Jeri Swoverland; sons, Tyler Swoverland, of Wheat Ridge, Colo. and Trenton (Kristie) Swoverland, of Fort Wayne; daughter, Temple (Richard) Harris, of Chandler, Ariz.; sister, Saralyn Walls, of Fort Wayne; and grandchildren, Remington, Reece, Rhya, Cameron, Addison and Rhett.

A memorial gathering will take place between 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Wallen Baptist Church, 1001 W Wallen Rd, Fort Wayne. A memorial service will be 10 a.m. Monday at the church with Pastor Jim Glover officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in D.G.'s memory to the American Heart Association. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.