| Ernest A. Schwanke, 92, of Rockford, died at 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, in Alden Alma Nelson Manor. Born July 4, 1918, in Marengo; the son of Gustav and Emma (Oelke) Schwanke. Graduate of Rockford Central High School class of 1939. Served in the U.S. Army 129th Infantry unit that served in World War II’s bloody Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. He received the Purple Heart in 1945 for wounds received in action in Belgium, and five bronze stars for serving in the European African Middle Eastern Theatre. Ernest married Frances Marie Currie March 8, 1944. At the end of the war, he returned to Rockford, where he was employed at the Rockford post office until his retirement. Member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. Ernest enjoyed an interest in magic as a teenager and throughout his adult life, practicing it as a hobby and as a professional at many church, civic, and other events in the Rockford area throughout the years. He is survived by his wife, Frances; children, Robert (Tieu) Schwanke of Nevada, Mary Ann (Patrick) Hanford of Rockford, and Sandra (Robert) Howell of Chillicothe, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Schwanke of Rockford; brother-in-law, David VanFleet of Kingsville, Texas; and sister-in-law, Catherine Pasley of Duncanville, Texas. Predeceased by son, William; daughter, Catherine; infant grandson, Bryan Thomas; and brothers, Art and Fred Schwanke. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 600 N. Horsman St., with Rev. Larry R. Yaw and Vicar Frank Ciprys officiating. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, in Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., North Main Chapel, 2811 N. Main St., and 10 to10:45 a.m. prior to the service in the church. Memorials to St. Paul Lutheran Church. | |
