By HDN Staff
LEWISTOWN Walter J. Swan, 83, Lewistown, died Wednesday, March 29, 2000 at a Lewistown medical center of natural causes.
Graveside services for Swan will be 1:30 p.m. Friday in Highland Cemetery in Havre with military honors. Cremation has taken place.
Swan was born March 15, 1917 in Lewistown to Robert and Adeline Swan. He received his schooling in Lewistown and worked in the central Montana area.
Swan married Shirley Goodian in Havre Sept. 21, 1938. He entered the U.S. Army and served in Europe during World War Two. He was wounded in Germany in 1945 and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Upon his discharge, he returned to Montana, settled in Box Elder, and worked as a mapmaker for the Bureau of Reclamation. He retired from that position in 1970 due to failing eyesight resulting from complications with diabetes. The Swans later moved to Lewistown, where they lived until his death.
Swan also won the good conduct medal and European Theater Ribbon, with two battle stars and the combat infrantryman's badge. He was awarded a French decoration. He was credited with capturing 26 German soldiers who were holed up in an old gravel pit.
Swan was a member of the Big Sandy American Legion, Havre Post #497 VFW, North Central Shrine Club of Lewistown, and the Algeria Shrine of Helena.
He was preceded in death by one son, Jamie, in 1961, his parents, a brother and a sister.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley, and daughter, Rita Pemberton, both of Lewistown; brother, Charles Belcourt, and sister, Irene Belcourt, both of Box Elder; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be given to the Yellowstone Boys Ranch of Billings at P.O. Box 80807, Billings, MT 59108.
The Cloyd Funeral Home of Lewistown is in charge of arrangements.
