SWANK,
John E., 68, of Piqua, died May 31, 2015. John was born January
17, 1947, near West Manchester, Ohio. The son of Ross and Gladys
(Guiller) Swank, he grew up outside Lewisburg, Ohio, and graduated
from Twin Valley North High School. John earned a bachelor's degree
from Miami University in 1969, a master’s degree from Hamma School
of Theology, Wittenberg University, in 1973, and a master’s degree
in mental health counseling from Wright State University in 1985. As
a licensed professional clinical counselor, John’s style was
personal, pragmatic, and goal oriented with a focus on how his
clients wished to be in the future. He was particularly interested in
the interface between medicine and wellness. John practiced for
nearly 30 years until December 2014 when health concerns forced him
to close the private practice he had started in 1992 in Troy, Ohio.
From 1974 to 1984, he served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in
Convoy, Ohio. John’s hobbies included woodworking, genealogy, and
antiques. A jazz lover, he served on the program committee of the
Troy Hayner Cultural Center. He was a member of the German delegation
to Troy’s annual Festival of Nations and a member of St. John’s
United Church of Christ in Troy.
John was preceded in death by his
parents and brother-in-law Tom Yannitell. He is survived by his wife
of 45 years, Joyce (Braun) Swank of Piqua; daughter, Erin Joy Swank,
and son-in-law, Mike Wymore, of Aurora, Colorado; sister Dorothy Hoy
of Salisbury, North Carolina, and her husband Geoffrey; sister
Rebecca Yannitell of Marion, Ohio; brother, Dan Swank, of Troy, Ohio,
and his wife Joan (Roberts); numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews;
and friends of all ages, especially Connor and Parker who called him
their “bonus grandpa.” John accepted people as they were, and he
treated friends as family. Many credit him for helping them change
their lives and become better persons.
The family thanks everyone who
assisted John during his illness including Cancer Specialists of
Greater Dayton and the doctors and staff at Kettering Medical Center,
Grandview Medical Center, and Hospice of Dayton. The Ohio University
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine will receive John’s body
to further medical education and research. A memorial celebration
will be held Wednesday, June 3, 6:00 p.m., at Nashville UCC
Recreation Park. Donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton or a
charity of choice.
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