Donald Swank

Donald Swank, 95, passed away at 7:08 pm on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at Heartland Care Nursing Home. Donald was born to Benjamin and Velma Swank in Montgomery County on November 4, 1922. Donald married Irene B McNulty on May 16, 1948 in Crawfordsville, Indiana. She survives. He is also survived by three sons, Stephen (Cynthia Miller) of Sidney, Illinois, Douglas of Champaign, Illinois, Stanley (Gail) of Edinboro, Pennsylvania; three grand-children: Stanley II (Rebecca) of Ashland, Illinois, Benjamin (Aimee) of New Franken, Wisconsin and Georgia of Long Beach, California; two great grandchildren: Stanley III and Jett of Ashland, Illinois. He is also survived by a sister, Margaret Kidd of Crawfordsville, Indiana and three nieces, Beverly Bashia of Crown Point, Indiana, Janice Peacock (James) of Avon, Indiana and Pamela Blanchard (Gregg) of Crawfordsville, Indiana. Donald graduated from New Market High School in 1940 and then began attending Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. But his college career was interrupted by a three-year service in World War II. He served in the Air Force 450th Bomb Group stationed in southern Italy and achieved the rank of staff sargeant. After World War II, he resumed college studies at Wabash College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, he earned a Master's degree and PhD in education from Purdue University. Donald began his professional career by working as a teacher and coach at Cutler High School in Cutler, Indiana. From there, Donald worked as teacher, vice principal and very successful coach at Klondike High School at West Lafayette, Indiana for a period of ten years. After earning his PhD in Education in 1958, Donald moved into the realm of community colleges. He worked at Flint Community College in Flint, Michigan as Director of Admissions from 1958 to 1962. In 1963, he helped start Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio as Dean of Students. In 1967, he came to Champaign, Illinois to help start Parkland College. He worked at Parkland College for 25 years holding the Vice President positions of Dean of Students and Dean of Instruction. In his final year, he held the position of Acting President. Donald held a unique distinction at Parkland College as he suggested the name of the college. Upon hearing the Architect describe the campus concept as being situated in a "parkland" setting, he proposed the name "Parkland College." President Staerkel concurred with the proposed name and it was approved by the Board of Trustees. Donald had a great love of people and was very generous. His interests included his family, restoring classic cars and sports. He especially liked to watch basketball games, particularly those games coached by his son Stan and grandson Ben. He was a lifelong Cubs' fan and when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, he noted that he had been a Cubs' fan for 76 years. Donald was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Champaign, Illinois. Funeral arrangements are pending. A celebration of Donald's life will be held at 2pm on Tuesday January 23, 2018 at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820. Visitation will be held prior from 1pm-2pm at the funeral home. Interment with military rites will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery on a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Donald's name to First United Methodist Church. Please join his family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Visitation Jan 23, 2018 Tuesday, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Service Jan 23, 2018 Tuesday, 2:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Final Resting Place Mount Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum 611 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Champaign, Illinois 61820