Lavern Swartz

Lavern John Swartz age 85 of Lake Odessa, Mi. entered into the presence of the Lord Jesus his Savior on November 19, 2022. He was born on June 16, 1937, in AuGres, Michigan. He spent the last year and a half of his life at Carveth Village in Middleville, Michigan where he brought joy to many of his new found friends. Lavern spent a good share of his life as an evangelist, preaching the good news of Jesus to many. In his early life he served as assistant pastor of a small congregation in White Cloud, Michigan and in the late 70’s transitioned to fulltime evangelism. He partnered with his uncle, the late Andrew Jantzi, in tent revivals in various locations in the United States. He was a member of the Bowne Mennonite Church for the last 50 years where he also served as interim pastor in the late 70’s. He was known by many and loved the Lord Jesus and was instrumental in bringing many to a saving knowledge of his Savior. He met his sweetheart Marcella Mae Zook at Fairview Bible School in 1955 whom he married on April 21,1957. He loved and enjoyed the visits of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his five sons, Steve (April) Swartz of Lake Odessa, MI., Don (Jan) Swartz, Dave (Rhoda) Swartz of Cannelburg, IN., John (Arleta) Swartz of Clarksville, MI. and Dan (Sherri) Swartz of Apple Creek, OH. One sister Twila (Paul) Seland of Harrisonburg Virgina and one brother, Arnold Swartz of Pinconning, Michigan, Sister-in-law Sherrill Swartz, 4 stepbrothers, Carl (Nancy) Litwiller of Harrisonburg Virgina, Glen (Naomi) Litwiller of Grants Pass, Oregon, Clifford (Carol) Litwiller of Sterling, Michigan, Larry (Nelda) Litwiller of Harrisonburg Virgina and one stepsister Nancy(Litwiller) Kauffman of Middlebury, Indiana. 17 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren also survive.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Marcella (Zook) Swartz on June 10, 2019, John & Katie (Jantzi) Swartz, Stepmother Fanny (Jantzi/ Litwiller) Swartz, one Brother Marlin Swartz and one sister Betty (Swartz) Beiler. Also preceding him in death was one brother-in-law Dean Kauffman.

Visitation will be held on Monday November 21, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. at the Bowne Mennonite Church located at 14076 76th St, Clarksville, MI 48815. A memorial service will follow on Tuesday November 22, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Calvary Grace Brethren Church located at 13700 84th St SE, Alto, MI 49302 with a one and one half hour visitation with family prior to service. Interment will be at the Bowne Mennonite Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Haven of Hope Ministry located at 9659 Thompson Rd. Lake Odessa, MI. 48849. For more information on this and other arrangements please visit www.havenofhopes.com/lavernswartz. Condolences may also be shared through this link.