Gary Schwarting
July 06, 2012
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Service Details
Gary Lee Schwarting, 64, of Ankeny, Iowa, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, July 6, after a courageous 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He fought the good fight, and received treatments at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He bravely volunteered for a Clinical Trial at Mayo to help find a cure, often saying, “Maybe this will help other people in the future.”
Gary was born on November 25, 1947, in Williamsburg, Iowa, to Harold and Shirley Schwarting. He attended Immanuel Lutheran Parochial School in Williamsburg through 9th grade, Williamsburg High School, and AIB in Des Moines, Iowa. After graduating from AIB, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves, 103rd Support Brigade.
On September 8, 1968, he was united in marriage to his wife, Janice (Jan). Gary was a devoted employee for 45 years with Iowa Paint/Pittsburgh Paint (PPG). During his employment he was given many opportunities, including store manager and territory salesman.
Gary was an active member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, where he enjoyed serving on numerous committees and loved spending time with congregational friends in different activities. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Chicago Bears – especially when the Bears beat the Packers. Gary enjoyed yearly fishing trips to Canada, hunting, mowing friends’ lawns, and painting. He especially loved spending time with his twin grandsons – not only being their grandpa, but also a Christian mentor and friend. They shared lots of laughter and fun together.
He is survived by his wife, Jan of 43 years; daughter, Ashley (Joel) Ott; twin grandsons, Kyle and Eric of Ankeny; sister, Donna (Bruce) Lundeen of East Moline, Illinois, and brother, Rick (Barb) Schwarting of Atkins, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Shirley Schwarting.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Monday, July 9, 2012, at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 4003 2nd Avenue, in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 10 at the church, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice in loving memory of Gary.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Becky Core Swartzendruber
08/06/2012
One of my classmates just informed me about seeing the obituary for Gary.
I went to high school with Gary and remember him as being one of the friendliest people I'd ever known.
Your loss is shared by all who knew him. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.
Lorelee (Teggatz) Brandman
07/23/2012
I grew up on a farm near Gary, Donna, and Rick's parents and remember the whole family fondly. Gary was a year older than me and Donna a year younger and we were friends. We attended school in Williamsburg together. Gary always seemed like a positive, happy go lucky kid. My deepest sympathy goes out to your family. May you find comfort in many wonderful memories.
Jeannine Scandridge
07/16/2012
Janice, Ashley and Family,
I just learned today that Gary went to join Harold and Shirley in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I always felt I was almost one of your family, and treasure all the special occasions I had the privilege to share with you. Gary was a true gentleman, friend, and Christian mentor. May all the blessed memories that you have shared as a family provide you with comfort and Gary's love forever.
LaMar & Keith Stanerson
07/12/2012
Our deepest sympathy to your families. God Bless and comfort you. Friends from Conroy, IA.
Gordon L. von Ahsen
07/11/2012
Dear Jan and family, and Donna and Rick:
My sympathy in the loss of your husband and father and grandfather, and brother to Donna and Rick. I grew up neighbors to Gary (Harold and Shirley), we lived on the farm just south of where he grew up, we took a winter ride in an old 2 wheel trailer in a blizzard one time pulled by my dad's old Allis Chalmers tractor, collecting all the neighbors on the road, to go visit Auggie and Erna Maas for a birthday card party, in 3 feet of snow. I have an old picture from a birthday party, that I would like to share with you Jan and Donna and Rick. In fact I might have 2 or 3, please email me and I will email them to you if you'd like to see and have them. I remember Gary was an avid peewee baseball player in the Williamsburg little league baseball program. I remember the card parties at Lothar Hudepohls, and at Auggie and Erna's and at Robert and Helen's places. Those were great and memorable times, as some of the pictures I have show. God bless you and comfort you in your loss, but also grant you super fun memories of Gary.
Gordon L. von Ahsen
Harlan, Iowa
Gene & Patty Kruckenberg
07/10/2012
Sending our deepest condolences. Sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers are with all of you. We will always remember the great times tailgating at the Hawkeye games.
Dave Kern
07/10/2012
I worked with Gary at Iowa Paint, I will always remember Gary's positive attitude, laugh and good nature. The world lost a great man and he will be missed!! My thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Jim and Marcia Baack
07/10/2012
Sending our deepest sympathy to all of you. God Bless and Comfort you today and always. Friends from Williamsburg.
Chad Toland (Arkansas)
07/10/2012
I worked with Gary at Iowa Paint after Sterling Paint was acquired by IPM Group. I remember Gary's willingness to answer any question (no matter how trivial it may have been). Gary had a way of making me feel important and could always make me smile - even on a Monday!
Terry W Graddy ( Arkansas )
07/09/2012
I met Gary when Iowa Paint bought out Sterling Paint in Arkansas. Gary was truly a professional always had time to take a call and help with the needs of our customers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends.
Donna Wiedmann
07/09/2012
I worked with Gary at Iowa Paint. He was so happy, kind and positive, a treasure to have among us. My prayers to the family. He will be missed by so many.
Candy Bradley
07/09/2012
I did know Gary from Farmland Industries days, then Iowa Paint, then PPG. He was always happy and positive, concerned for others, and a good friend. He was so proud of his family; also told great fishing stories! He's in a peaceful place now, I'm sure grinning down on all of us!
Larry Waffle
07/09/2012
My prayers go to the family of Gary.I worked with him at Iowa Paint and I know he had many friends there and we will all miss him.May you have peace in the thought he is in a better place
Cindy and Morris Greenfield
07/08/2012
Even though we never met Gary, we kept in touch through Rick and Barb. You have all been in our prayers and will continue to be. Accept our deep sympathy and live with those good memories you all made together.
DorRene Mau
07/08/2012
I never knew Gary but felt like he was a friend as he was loved by all of us at St. Marks. He fought the battle with the Lord at his side and now lives with the Lord.our sympathy goes out to all of you. May you find the peace and hope only our Lord can provide.