Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Obituaries

Monday, October 1, 2018
Paul Swank
Monday, October 1, 2018
Paul Swank
KALONA? Paul Bliss Swank, 86, of Washington, formerly of Kalona, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, in the United Presbyterian Home in Washington.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Kalona United Methodist Church with the Rev. Gerry Kahler officiating. The body will be cremated following the service. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m., Tuesday at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for the Kalona United Methodist Church, Mid-Prairie FFA, Handicap Housing of Washington, and Hospice of Washington County.
Mr. Swank was born Dec. 17, 1928, in Oakville, the son of Edwin L. and Edith C. (Bliss) Swank. He married Lois Kimmel on Jan. 30, 1962, in Lincoln, Neb.
He graduated from Huron Consolidated High School in Oakville in 1946 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1951 and his Master of Science in 1970. He served in the Navy following World War II and continued to serve in the Navy Reserve for 40 years, retiring with the permanent rank of captain in 1986. He was an agricultural education instructor at Alburnett, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Mid-Prairie High School, retiring after teaching for 30 years. He was a member of the Kalona United Methodist Church, the Retired Officers Association, Iowa Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Washington County Association of Retarded Citizens, Planning and Zoning Committee for the city of Kalona, Washington County Task Force: Area Ten Heritage on Aging Agency, director of Washington County Handicapped Housing Inc., Youth and 4-H Committee of Washington County, director of Washington County Mental Health Clinic, and the American Legion.
Surviving are his wife, Lois, of Washington; three daughters, Deborah Lynn Swank of Ankeny, Theresa Ann Fleskes and husband Marty of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Kathryn Marie Swank of Washington; two grandchildren; and one sister, Mary Lund of Lincoln, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Walter Swank; and one brother-in-law, Robert Lund.