Rev. M. Thomas Swantner

Rev. M. Thomas Swantner, 83, of Frankfort, died on Monday, December 17, 2012, at Wesley Manor Retirement Community in Frankfort.

He was born October 20, 1929, in Peru, Ind., the son of William J. and Lurah Long Swantner.

On June 10, 1951, he married the former Vera Winger in Speedway; she survives.

Thomas graduated from Chili (Miami County) High School in 1947.  He graduated from Manchester College in 1954 and from The Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 1958.  Thomas served for 42 years as a minister under appointment with the United Methodist Church.  He served for 6 years in Indiana and 36 years in Illinois lastly in Pana.  After retiring from the ministry in 2006, Thomas moved to Frankfort. Thomas was a member of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.  He was also a past member of the Rotary Club of Frankfort and of Pana where he was also Assistant District Governor. Thomas was twice a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. His past memberships include the Masons, Shriners and Scottish Rite.  He loved to travel and camp.

In addition to his wife, Thomas is survived by two daughters, Rebecca E. (Kim) Heusel of Indianapolis, and Laura F. (John) Johnson of Peoria, IL; one sister, Shirley (Charles) Guyer of Kokomo; one brother, John J. Swantner (companion, Ellen Gross) of Chili; three grandchildren, Aaron K. Heusel (Cara Owens), Robin D. (Natalie) Heusel, and Thomas G. Heusel (Lori Marshall); two great grandsons, Xander Heusel and Elijah Heusel.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents, one son, David W. Swantner; one brother, George Swantner; one sister, Marilou Neff; and one half brother, William E. Swantner.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at Amanda Reid Chapel at Wesley Manor at 2 p.m. with one hour of visitation prior to the service.  Pastor Lowell Brown and Chaplin Barbara Kinsler will officiate.  Inurnment will be at a later date in Mound Cemetery in Pana, Ill.

Memorials in Thomas’ name may be made to Heifer International, Jimmy Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity, Good Samaritan Fund or donor’s choice.