Donald Paul Swanson, 70, of Rock Island, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at his residence.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan.  Graveside service will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Viola Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the family or to St. John's Lutheran Church, Rock Island.

Don was born on April 13, 1951 in Moline, the son of Leonard H. and Helen L. (Kittilsen) Swanson.  He grew up in Rock Island with his parents and two brothers, David and John.  As a boy he attended St. John's Lutheran Church, he was a boy scout and a member of the VASA Lodge of Moline.  Don attended Rock Island Schools and graduated in 1969 from Rock Island High School.  He continued his education by attending the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Black Hawk Community College, and received his bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University, where he met his wife Sandy.  Don and Sandy got married in 1975 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Rock Island.  He worked at Roth Pump Co. and then in various civilian divisions at the Rock Island Arsenal until his retirement.

Don's passion was his love of family history, photographing family, and his Swedish heritage.  He spent many hours working on the family Genealogy and listening to classical music.

Don is survived by his wife, Sandy Swanson; children and spouses, Matthew and Lynn Swanson and Heather and Nick Pazoles; grandson, Cody T. Pazoles; brother and wife, David Swanson and Anne Bennett; two nieces; one nephew; 2 great nephews; and many cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John G.