Henry Swayne

Former longtime Kanorado, Kansas farmer Henry “JR” Franklin Swayne, Jr., 86, died Friday, October 26, 2012, at Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon, Missouri, where he had been a resident since 2011.

He was born May 5, 1926, at Edson, Kansas, the son of Ethel (Doggett) and Henry Franklin Swayne.   The family lived north of Edson, Kansas, and he attended school at Kanorado.   In 1969, he earned his GED.

On May 10, 1944, after turning sixteen, he began his service to his country in the United States Navy, and was honorably discharged on June 28, 1946, receiving the Purple Heart.

On July 21, 1948, he and JoAnna  Fothergill Brown were married at Goodland, farming northeast of Kanorado, and raising their five children.

His memberships included Veterans of Foreign Wars—Lowell Coleman Post 1133, and Goodland Elks Lodge 1528.

Joanna died August 18, 1986.  On July 25, 1987, Henry and Shirley Keck were married in rural Missouri, and they made their home north of Kanorado.  In 1997, Henry and Shirley moved to Greenfield, Missouri.  In 2011, Henry became a resident of Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon, Missouri.  Shirley moved to Mount Vernon in September of 2012.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife JoAnna Swayne; and sister Jean Fick.

Surviving family includes his wife Shirley Swayne of Mount Vernon, Missouri; daughter Lynn Swayne of Sterling, Kansas; four sons Lance Swayne of Tucson, Arizona; Tom Swayne of Meriden, Kansas; Howard Swayne of Greenfield, Missouri; Harlan Swayne of Aurora, Missouri; step-daughter Tonya Stagner of St. Louis, Missouri;  two brothers Ted Swayne of Kanorado; Dee Swayne of Bogue; three sisters Clara Stone of Wichita; Peggy King of Kanorado; Doyce Pratt of Phoenix, Arizona; seven grandchildren Daniel Swayne, Matthew Swayne, Kayla Hanes, Timothy Swayne, Sarah Swayne, Rachel Stanger, Rickie Stagner; several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The funeral will be Tuesday, October 30, at 10:00 AM MT, at Koons Chapel in Goodland, with Reverend Shelly Petz officiating.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Goodland Cemetery.

Friends may share their respects on Monday, from 7:00 until 9:00 PM MT, at Koons Chapel.

Memorials may be designated to Disabled American Veterans, and may be left at or mailed to Koons Funeral Home, 211 N. Main, Goodland, KS  67735-1555.