Louis Swain

COLUMBUS JUNCTION ? Louis Martin Swain, 73, of Bettendorf, died Saturday, July 18, 2015, in the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House in Bettendorf.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, at the Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction. Following services at the funeral home, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church. Following the luncheon, burial will be in the Muscatine Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Mr. Swain was born Jan. 22, 1942, in Muscatine County, the son of Vernon J. and Dorothy (Goddard) Swain. He married Sonja Newcomb. The couple later divorced.

He graduated from Columbus Junction Community Schools, Muscatine Community College, and Central College in Pella. He later received his master?s degree from Kansas State University in biochemistry, and his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi. He did his postdoctoral work at Auburn, Ala., and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Md. He taught at MCC and St. Mary?s in San Antonio, Texas. He returned to Columbus Junction in 1987 and prepared tax returns for people, working from his home. He was a Sunday school teacher at one time, and treasurer of his church. He became a paraplegic in his 20s due to an accident, being thrown from a truck. He lived independently, traveling and working, until his health problems developed in 2000. He was an avid Cardinal fan, enjoyed watching all sports, and had a beloved pet cat. He spent his last years in Bettendorf Health Care center.

Surviving are five siblings, Mary Wilson and husband Dave of Letts, Jack Swain of Columbus Junction, Ron Swain and wife Katie of Santa Ana, Calif., Ken Swain and wife Betsy of Atlanta, Ga., and Sharon Blom and husband Harv of Pella; four nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.