DeWayne Louis Swa, 92, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and cherished friend, passed away peacefully, February 18, 2009, at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones.
DeWayne was born on April 25, 1916, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Alfred and Minnie Pearl Swa, the seventh of 11 children. He served his country in the Army in World War II and received the Purple Heart.
Upon returning to the states he married Evelyn Blechert on April 2, 1945. DeWayne and Evelyn shared 63 wonderful years together and were sealed for time and all eternity on April 22, 1989, in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple.
DeWayne retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1983, after 45 years of service. He was instrumental in starting the Union Pacific Junior and Old Timers Clubs in Montpelier, and was president of the Old Timers for many years. He was a member of the VFW, and was always eager to participate in flag bearing services for his fellow veterans, and friends.
An avid outdoorsman, DeWayne was also on of the founding members of the Bear Lake County Search and Rescue, an organization he took great pride in, and he was a lifetime member.
Being a wonderful example to all of those around him, he held many callings in the church, including high priest group leader and executive secretary.
A devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, DeWayne loved hunting, fishing, and camping with his family and friends. He and Evelyn also attended many reunions for his World War II Army division across the country.
DeWayne is survived by his wife, Evelyn; their daughters, Shauna Barker and children, Stacey, Jared, and Ashley of Pocatello, Idaho, Diana (Cal) Pullman, Montpelier, Idaho, and their children, Kelly Swa of Slat Lake City, Utah, Jody (Kenneth) Miller of Greenville, Texas;, 5 great-granddaughters, Kayla, Andrea, Megan, Jessica, and Brittany of Salt Lake City, Utah; three great-grandsons, Kody, Colton and Trista of Greenville, Texas; sister, Deloris Meridtih of Fort Collins, Colo.; sisters-in-law, Maxine Swa of Boise, Idaho, and Maudie Blechert of Ogden, Utah. He was preceded in death by his son, Dee, parents, Alfred and Minnie Swa, five sisters, Lavon Michaelson, Helma Sarver, Anona Bryan, Irene Homer, and Flora Delle Swa, four brothers, Lloyd, Willard, Donald, and Alfred.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 23, 2009, at noon in the Montpelier LDS Second Ward Chapel. Friends may call prior to the service from 10 to 11:45 a.m. There will be a visitation Sunday, February 22, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.p. at Matthews Mortuary in Montpelier, Idaho. Interment will be in the Montpelier Cemetery.