Obituary

Dr. John C. (Jack) Swanson, age 96, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream entered the presence of God on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Born in Rockford, Illinois, on April 5, 1928, to Fred R. and Elsie M. Swanson, Jack was a 1949 graduate of Wheaton College and earned a PhD in school administration at Northwestern University. He served as teacher, coach and Dean at Wheaton Academy, 1952 - 1957 and as Counselor and Assistant Principal at Rockford East High School from 1957 -1961. He was appointed Principal of the new Guilford High School in Rockford where he served until 1969. He was Assistant Superintendent in the Deerfield/Highland Park High School District for five years and was Superintendent at Oak Park/River Forest High School District until his retirement in 1987.

During his retirement years he served as Interim Superintendent in River Forest and Rockford school districts; worked in various positions at Circle Urban Ministries, Lawndale Community Development Corporation and Lawndale Christian Health Center on Chicago's Westside; devoted a year helping organize a mission, along with his wife, Ellie, in a squatter area of Metro Manila, Philippines; and worked with World Relief in resettlement of refugees, teaching them to drive and to prepare for their citizenship examination. In 2005, Jack was honored with The Alumnus of the Year for Distinguished Service to Society Award, by the Wheaton College Alumni Association.

Jack married E. Eleanor (Ellie) McKnight, his college sweetheart, in 1950 and later served for many years as her caregiver as she declined with Alzheimer’s Disease. Following her death in 2004, he married Zondra Lindblade in 2007. She was a professor of Sociology at Wheaton College for 35 years. They enjoyed 15 years of marriage before her death.

Jack had the privilege of becoming a friend of John Stott and served for over 30 years on the Board and as an officer of John Stott Ministries (now Langham Partnership USA), a ministry he was passionate about. He has been an active member of Immanuel Presbyterian in Warrenville, Glen Ellyn Covenant, River Forest Presbyterian, and Rockford Evangelical Free churches. After bringing Young Life to Rockford, he was a leader of Young Life clubs at Rockford East and Guilford high schools, while working at the schools. He was also a member of the Oak Park Rotary Club, professional education associations, and a board member of Covenant Retirement Communities, Trinity and Wheaton Colleges. At his home at Windsor Park, he initiated and was active in many of the activities, including the weekly golf group. His love for golf, the challenge, the courses, those he played with, and a hole-in-one at 90, kept him on the course from ages 10 – 95.

His motivation in life was to follow in the way of Jesus, studying how he lived and interacted with people. He loved unconditionally, all people, and worked for justice and peace, seeking to bring “Christ and His Kingdom” to his communities. This was first exemplified in his love for his family and spread to everyone he encountered.

He was preceded in death by his wife E. Eleanor (McKnight) Swanson in December 2004; his wife Zondra (Lindblade) Swanson in December 2022; and by his son Daniel in December 2016. He is survived by his brother Armour (Beverly) Swanson of Northbrook, IL; two children: Robert (Laurie) Swanson of Oak Park, IL and Kathryn (Stephen) Soneson of Winfield, IL; daughter in law, Angelica Juarez de Swanson of Puebla, Mexico; seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Rd, Warrenville, IL 60555, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., preceded by a visitation from 10:00 –11:00 a.m., and followed by a luncheon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, friends may send memorial gifts to Langham Partnership USA (founded by John Stott), PO Box 189, Cave Creek, AZ 85327-9932 or the Benevolent Care Fund at Windsor Park.