Dr. John C. (Jack) Swanson, 96, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, died on Feb. 21, 2025. Born in Rockford on April 5, 1928, to Fred R. and Elsie M. Swanson, he 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 Guilford High School in Rockford where he served until 1969, was assistant superintendent in the Deerfield/Highland Park High School District for five years and was superintendent at Oak Park and River Forest High School until his retirement in 1987.
During his retirement years, he served as interim superintendent in River Forest District 90 and Rockford school districts; worked in various positions at Circle Urban Ministries, Lawndale Community Development Corporation, and Lawndale Christian Health Center on Chicago’s West Side; devoted a year to helping organize a mission, along with his wife Ellie, in a squatter area of Metro Manila, Philippines; and worked with World Relief to resettle refugees, teaching them to drive and to prepare for their citizenship examination.
In 2005, he was honored with the Alumnus of the Year for Distinguished Service to Society Award, by the Wheaton College Alumni Association.
He 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. They enjoyed 15 years of marriage before her death.
He 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 and Trinity and Wheaton colleges. He loved golf, and had a hole-in-one at the age of 90.
He loved unconditionally, all people, and worked for justice and peace, seeking to bring “Christ and His Kingdom” to his communities.
Jack Swanson was preceded in death by his wife E. Eleanor (McKnight) Swanson in 2004; his wife Zondra (Lindblade) Swanson in 2022; and his son Daniel in 2016. He is survived by his brother Armour (Beverly) Swanson; his children, Robert (Laurie) Swanson and Kathryn (Stephen) Soneson; his daughter in law, Angelica Juarez de Swanson; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 29W260 Batavia Road, Warrenville, IL 60555, on Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m., preceded by a visitation from 10 till 11 a.m., 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.