Wayne Alvin Swanson , 86, of Columbia City, died peacefully in the company of family at 7:45 a.m. Sunday, March 31, 2024 at his home.

Born on March 18, 1938, in Porter, Indiana, he was a son of the late Robert Owen Swanson and Charlotte Rose (Ponatowski) Swanson.  Growing up in Porter, he graduated from Chesterton High School in 1956.

On June 27, 1959, he married Marilyn Jean Miller.  They made their home in Chesterton later moving to Valparaiso.  In 2012, they moved to Tri-Lakes and in 2021, Columbia City.

Wayne worked as an Ironworker for Local 395 in Hammond, erecting steel buildings.  He retired in 2000 with 44 years in the skilled trade.

After retiring, he was a regular at the Crooked Lake Golf course and played in the men's league.  Through the years, he enjoyed fishing the local lakes as well as taking fishing excursions to Canada.  Family was always his pride and joy, spending as much time as possible with the grandkids.  He will be missed by all.

With a servant's heart, he kept busy helping others, taking mission trips with his church to tornado-stricken Indiana, hurricane ravaged areas of Louisiana, and impoverished areas of Kentucky.  He was quick to help a neighbor or acquaintance and was a volunteer for meals-on-wheels.  Wayne was a member of Community of Hope Church, Columbia City.

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Marilyn; children, Wayne A. Swanson of Valparaiso, David R. Swanson of Rock Hill, SC, Thomas J. (Kirsten) Swanson of Goshen and Jeanette M. (Earl) Tison of Columbia City; twelve grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Charlene (Robert) Hauber of Kanab, UT.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Swanson and great-grandsons, Camrin Camery and Kingsley Rickard.

Visitation is 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date at Community of Hope Church, Columbia City

Memorials in Wayne's honor are to the Community of Hope Church, Columbia City.