Leonard "Joe" Swart Jr.

Leonard ‘Joe’ Swart Jr. age 73 of Rensselaer formerly of DeMotte passed away on October 5, 2008 with his loving wife at his side. Joe was born on the farm in DeMotte on March 19, 1935 to Leonard and Mary Catherine (nee: White) Swart. On December 7, 1953, Joe married Shirley Wiers who survives. Joe was a member of the Teamsters Union, and drove a steel-hauling semi for Gary Transfer for nearly 30 years. He was a member of the First Reformed Church (Dutch Corner) of DeMotte, and served in the United States Military.

Surviving are his loving wife, Shirley, three children, Leonard Swart, Lorraine and Steve Mercer, John and Teresa Swart, six grandchildren, and one great-grand child. Also, surviving is one brother, Howard & Janeen Swart, two sisters, Mary Steele and Cathy Swart (special friend, Bob Krygier), and one sister-in-law, Joanne Swart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 grandson, Michael, 3 brothers Warren, Louis, and Morris, 1 nephew, 1 niece, and one brother-in-law, Ray Steele.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, October 9, 2008, from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Boersma Funeral Home, 90 East Grove St., Wheatfield, Indiana. Services for Joe will take place on Friday, October 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Reformed Church of DeMotte, with Pastor Roger Huitink officiating. Interment will take place at the Holland Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Bethshan, Corner Stone Children’s Ranch, or HCJB Global.