John Herman Swan
August 14, 2022
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Service Details
John Herman Swan
John passed away at home on August 14, 2022 with his two daughters by his side. Born on July 20, 1928 to John Frederick and Bertha (Hanson) Swan, both who immigrated from Sweden as children. John was a life-long resident of Des Moines. John was a proud Marine who traveled the world and served as a Cannonier in the Korean War. After his military service, John joined the Des Moines Police Department in 1952, where he spent the next 36 years serving his community. John worked his way through the ranks, including time as head of Juvenile, and retired a Captain 1988. As a Police officer, John worked many extra jobs, with most of those jobs being at Lincoln High School during the years his daughters attended Lincoln.
John was proud of his service to his country and community. He was selected to go on an Honor Flight trip in 2014. Most recently, the Des Moines Police Department honored him with a drive-by recognition for his 94th birthday and celebrated him as the oldest living retiree of the DMPD.
In addition to his public service as a Police Officer, John and his wife, Marge, owned a convenience store on the south side of Des Moines. Together, they bravely cared for and nurtured their son, Scott, who acquired a severe brain injury at the age of three. John and Marge encouraged Scott’s social and physical development with activities and additional education, back in a day when services for those with a disability were not readily available.
John was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie (Champ) Swan, son, John “Scott” Swan and Sister, Margaret (Tim) Spiller. John will be missed by those who survive him, especially daughters, Susan (Kevin) Hartnett, and Shellie (Chuck) Reitzel. Six grandchildren Aimee (Paul) Melodia. Beau (Ellen) Boskey, Briana (Chad) Frislie, Benjamin Boskey, Alaina (Jay) Fisk, Alex (Nichole) Hartnett and four great-grandchildren, Jasper Frislie, Aksel Frislie, Bjorn Frislie and Noelle Hartnett and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at Resthaven Cemetery, 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa.
Tom Boskey
08/25/2022
John was a true patriot for our country and a great human being that would give you the shirt off of his back! You made it to the mountain top, Captain, Rest In Peace!
Lisa Lankford Saltzman
08/21/2022
John was a customer of mine at the HyVee gas station on Fleur. He was quite a character always giving me a hard time. When he came in it was always a highlight in my day! May he Rest In Peace
Neil leighter
08/21/2022
John was a friend. I will miss
our visits and his worldly advice.
As a DMPD Captain he always backed the officers under his
command. He was a mentor
when I was promoted to Lt.
Our condolences to the family.
Neil and Rhonda leighter
Sue Hill
08/20/2022
RIP Marine and my friend 💙 you will be greatly missed by so many. It has been such a pleasure knowing you for several years.
Mary Belieu
08/20/2022
Sue and family, I was so sorry to hear of your dads passing. He was certainly one of a kind, a very kind man.. it's hard to believe we've known one another since kindergarten at Howe elementary, Ms. Bagelys class. Seems like an eternity, cause it was. He was always so very kind to me as was your Mom. He would always go out of his way to speak with me at the PD. It was a different time. Sue, God willing I'll see you at our 50th class reunion next month take care. Hugs old friend.
Dave Brown
08/19/2022
John was a good man to work for. He was not one to jump to conclusions. And was always willing to stand up for the people who worked for him.
Rest in peace Captain.
Dave Brown
(retired D.M.P.D.)