Michael Swartz

Swartz, Michael 5/12/1947 - 6/6/2021 Michael Burton Swartz was born on May 12, 1947, the son of Donald and Mary Jane Swartz in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He is the youngest of four. His siblings include Nancy Rafferty (Richard, deceased) and Donald Swartz (Carol, deceased), both of Schoolcraft, Michigan; and Harriett Swartz, who preceded him in death. Both of Mike's parents preceded him in death. Mike was raised in Schoolcraft, Michigan, and graduated from Schoolcraft High School in 1965. In high school he played football, basketball and golf. He was a boy scout, was a delegate to Boys State, and was in the high school band. In 1967, he graduated from Western Michigan University and in 1972, received a Masters of Education degree from Central Michigan University. The father of three daughters, Michelle Romstadt (Mark), Jennifer Kalleward (John), and Jacque Wilcox (Scott), all of the Kalamazoo area, and a bonus daughter, as he called her, Jennifer Sielaff (Daniel), of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He loved telling everyone about his eight grandsons, Andrew Romstadt, Bradley Romstadt, Jackson Kalleward, Lucas Kalleward, Henry Wilcox, Nathan Sielaff, Samuel Sielaff, and Samuel Kalleward (Angela). Two great-grandchildren, born too close to the pandemic and Mike's illness, whom he saw only once, round out the crew. In addition, numerous nieces and nephews, and great- nieces and nephews, were special to him as well. In 1985, Mike married Sandy, and for the last 36 years they laughed, traveled and enjoyed family get-togethers as time, cancer, and schedules allowed. He gave 44 years to his profession of teaching, coaching and school administration. He completed his career as Superintendent of Schools in Jefferson, Wisconsin, where he led that district to become one of two National School District's of Character in 2010. He firmly believed that educating students in good character was as important as getting good test scores and good grades. He and Sandy initiated the first state Character Education Conference hosted by the School District of Jefferson in 2003, and it continues today as the Wisconsin State Character Education Conference. In 2018, Mike was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow cancer. He fought the disease courageously and passed on June 6, 2021, after spending 29 days in the hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial in his name to South Milwaukee United Methodist Church or Horizon Hospice and Home Care in Milwaukee. Visitation will be Sunday, June 13, from 2-5 pm (CT) with a service on Monday, June 14, at 11:00 am (CT), both at Molthen Bell Funeral Home at 700 Milwaukee Avenue, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. https://www.molthenbell.com/