Samuel Swanson Iii

Samuel August Swanson

October 5, 1935-January 21, 2021

Samuel August Swanson III, 85, of La Porte, Indiana, went to be with the Lord Thursday January 21, 2021 at Northwest Health-La Porte.

He was born October 5, 1935 in Michigan City, Indiana, the son of Lot and Laura (Clausson) Swanson.

Samuel is survived by his wife of 45 years, Joyce; his son, Jeffrey Mack of McKinney, TX; daughter, Ellen Mack of Wauwatosa, WI; two grandchildren, Oliver and Xavier Crum; sister-in-law, Carolyn Hickman of South Bend, IN and nieces and nephews in various parts of the country.

Samuel was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Vernon, Merle, Larry, Richard and Robert Swanson and sisters, Dorothy Johnson and Helen Swanson.

Sam served in the United States Marine Corp for six years, four of those aboard the USS Lexington. After his honorable discharge, he remained in California and worked in the aircraft industry, first on the experimental aircraft XB70 and then on the retro section of the Apollo rocket that went to the moon. In 1973 he returned to Michigan City and went to work as a carpenter for National Steel, retiring in 1998 after 25 years. Sam met his beloved wife Joyce "in the woods" on a camping trip with a friend. On November 22, 1975, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, South Bend, he married Joyce Bulhand Swanson. A man of many talents, Sam repaired wheelchairs and sold or donated them. He spent one summer making small wooden crosses to hand out to people-he just enjoyed helping folks. Sam had an amazing sense of humor, always making people laugh. He was a talented artist who loved sketching and playing the harmonica. Sam and Joyce enjoyed spending time together, sometimes working in the flower garden. "Sam got COVID and then got the pneumonia specific to COVID. He fought a good fight, but I guess his body just got tired. You are now with your loved ones and fellow Marines who went before you. SEMPER FI, Sam. We will see you again."

Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., La Porte, IN where the family will receive friends from 11:00 - 12:00 noon, Tuesday, January 26, 2021. A funeral service will be held at noon at the funeral home with Pastor Bob Vale, First United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will follow at the St. Joseph Valley Memorial Cemetery, Granger. If attending these events, you are required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.

www.haverstockfuneralhome.com