J. Edward Swonder

J. Edward Swonder D.V.M. of 1955 South Old U. S. 41, Vincennes, IN, died at 9:45 p.m. on January 9 2015, at United Methodist Village, Lawrenceville, IL. He was born January 17, 1922 in Evansville, IN . to Paul Edward and Nora (Baucum) Swonder. A 1940 graduate of Griffin High School (Bethel Twp. Consolidated H.S.) in Griffin, IN , he later received a B. S. degree from the Indiana University School of Business in 1943, where he was member of the business scholastic honorary fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma. Following that he graduated from Northwestern University's Midshipman's School and served as an anti-submarine warfare office aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Hank (DD702), Task Force 58, which came under multiple Kamikaze attacks in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in January, 1946. He was married on March 4, 1944 in Key West, Florida's Old Stone Methodist Church to an Indiana University classmate, Charlotte Marie Grosskopf, daughter of Rudolph and Martha Charlotte (Defibaugh) Grosskopf of Indianapolis, IN. In 1950 he graduated from the Michigan State University School of Veterinary Medicine where he was a member of two veterinary scholastic honor fraternities, Alpha Psi and Phi Zeta. He and his family moved to Vincennes, IN on July 4, 1950 where he founded the Southgate Veterinary Clinic at 1925 South Old U.S. 41. His son Roy Blake Swonder D.V.M., joined him in 1977 and continues the practice. In his early years of practice, 95% of it was large animal, serving farmers in Knox County and adjacent counties. As farmers lessened their livestock holdings, his practice shifted to small animals. In 1993, after 43 years of practice, he retired. Dr. Ed participated in many community activities and was a 43 year member of the Vincennes Rotary Club, whom he served as president 1992 to 1993. That year the club garnered numerous Rotarian honors in southern Indiana. For many years he was very active in the Knox County Humane Society. He was a Past President of the Southwestern Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, a member of the Indiana State Veterinary Medicine Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association. He was also a past president of the Illiana Cypress Audubon Society chapter. He served on the Vincennes Community Sc hool Board from 1984 - 1988. He also established the "Charlie's Burger Barn" restaurant in 1964 in partnership with Charles E. Winkler. He has been a Life Member of B.P.O.E. #291, the First United Methodist Church and a 65 year member of the Homebuilder's Class there. On June 4, 2003, he was awarded the title of "Sagamore of the Wabash" by Governor O'Bannon in recognition of the four years of hard work to restore the "Cannonball Bridge" spanning the Wabash at St. Francisville, IL for a viable and safe bridge usage for commuters in St. Francisville and Vincennes. His survivors include his wife of 70 years, Charlotte, daughters Inge Burns (Mrs. Charles E.) of St. Francisville, IL, Melanie McDonald (Mrs. Samuel) of Carolina Beach, N.C. sons James Edward Swonder M.D. (and Joy) of Richmond , IN, and Roy Blake Swonder D.V.M. of Vincennes, IN. His grandchildren are James, Jonathan, Stephen, Dustin and Olivia Swonder, Caitlin McDonald, Julie Brown, Valerie Burns M.D. He has two great-grandsons, Quentin Elliot Swonder , Wesley James Swonder, and a great granddaughter, Sophie Marie Brown, of Colorado. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, James Harry Swonder of Evansville. Memorial services will be at 4:00 pm. Saturday March 14, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences can be made at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com