John Alan Swart

John Alan Swart (January 29, 1959–February 3, 2025) died after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. John is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Irene Swart, brother, Robert Swart, mother-in-law, Reba Lieffers and brothers -in-law, John English, James Lieffers and Thomas Lieffers.

When asked, John would tell you he was 5 things–a Christian, a husband, a father, a short stop, and an engineer–always in that order of priority. In the last three years of his life, he added a sixth, becoming Grandpa to five adoring littles. Others who love him would add even more to the list: devoted friend, brilliant problem solver, master of puns, pancake-maker extraordinaire, adventurous traveler. He loved life and he helped others do the same. He would never brag about himself, so this is us doing it for him. 

He was born the youngest of six children to Irene and Robert in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he lived all but eight years of his life. After JoAnn, his first love was baseball. He played his whole life, never missing a season. He credited the game for making him an engineer, analyzing plays and pitches to see how they all came together for a win. 

He attended the University of Michigan and majored in engineering. He graduated valedictorian and continued his education at Stanford University where he also graduated first in his class. He lived in New Jersey briefly before taking off six months to travel the country, living in a van and seeking adventure. He settled in Naperville, IL as a telecommunications engineer. Shortly after that, he met the great love of his life, JoAnn Lieffers, when they were introduced by mutual friends. They remained married for thirty-seven and a half years until his death. 

After their first daughter was born, they moved back to Grand Rapids and made it home again. They bought their house at Lamberton Lake and over the years John fixed up nearly every part of it. They joined Madison Square Church and grew deep roots in their community. He had a quiet, expansive faith in Christ that could be seen through acts of service and generosity. They had four more children. They welcomed everyone, hosting parties by the lake. They were quietly, secretly, generous. John kept playing ball and never turned down an opportunity to break out the pitching machine. He swam every day of the summer. He woke his kids up early to canoe on quiet waters and kept them up late to watch meteor showers. A lifelong champion and supporter of women and people of all backgrounds, John was a friend to all and always eager to help when others needed it. He was an avid fan of the Michigan Wolverines, cheering on both men’s and women’s sports. 

His brain was always working. He helped build companies and invented new technologies. He went everywhere, teaching his kids to be travelers instead of tourists and to love the beauty and the mystery of the world. He chased solar eclipses to Hawaii, Georgia, and Indiana. He hiked mountains from coast to coast, and white-water rafted through the Grand Canyon. He never stopped moving or thinking or doing. There was nothing he couldn’t figure out. 

When his kids grew up and started having their own children, he retired to spend more time with them. He became a beloved grandfather, waking up early to feed little girls blueberries and toast. He threw them up in the air and asked them important questions, training another generation to be curious and kind. He loved nothing more than to sit with JoAnn in the middle of the chorus of their family’s voices. In the last weeks of his life, he was shown the overwhelming love of Christ through visits, meals, letters, and prayers. He was and always will be beloved. John’s confidence in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was his source of strength and grace. He was at peace in this time of sickness and said often that “when God calls me, I will run to him.”

He is survived by JoAnn; and their children, Taylor, Shelby, Mackenzie, Sydney, and Jackson; by three sons-in-law, Jonathan, Kyungho, and Georgie; by his grandchildren, Mina, Sofia, Camila, Bowen, and Nico; as well as his brother Ed (Carol), and sisters Ginny (Greg), Carol (Jim), Marilyn and Johanna. He is also survived by beloved nephews and nieces.

Funeral services will be held 11 am Monday, February 10  at Madison Square Church, 1441 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, with Rev. Andrea Bult and Rev. Dave Beelen officiating.  Burial will be held at Hillside Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 3-5 pm at the church.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to World Hope International at World Hope International ATTN: Gift Processing PO Box 743794, Atlanta, GA 30374.