Roger M. Swan, age 61, of Marion and formerly of, Mattoon, Carmi, Mt Vernon and Olney, IL, and Lake Wales and Bushnell, FL passed away at 10:43 a.m. on Sunday, September 27, 2009, in Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.
The son of Melvin A. and Mary Ruth (Parson) Swan was born, June 12, 1948, in Herrin, IL.
Roger is survived by his former wife and high school sweetheart, Sandy Swan of Marion; their three children, Julie Ann Boles and companion, Patrick Rose of Herrin, IL; Laurie Lynn Edwards and husband Chris of Marion and Brian Alan Swan of Lexington, KY; three grandchildren, Jason, Kari and Aaron Boles all of Herrin; sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Floyd Partain of Marion; other extended family members and many friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, his father, Melvin A. Swan passed away, November 19, 1978 and his mother, Mary Ruth Swan passed away, April 4, 2004.
Roger grew up in Marion and following graduation from Marion High School he continued his education at Southern Illinois University where he majored in English, Journalism and Government and prior to his graduation was a student teacher in the Mt. Vernon High School.
While still in high school, Roger started working for the Marion Daily Republican where he became familiar with the daily task of newspaper publishing. Before leaving the paper in 1971 he worked as a sports reporter, a news reporter and worked in the commercial printing department where he learned to operate the offset presses. For the next ten years Roger was involved in the daily activities of radio station, WDDD, where he was an announcer from 1971 until leaving the station in 1981. Other duties at the station included program director, sales, and was sales manager for three years. In addition to his many duties at the station he was an active member of the Marion Jaycee’s. In 1982 he moved to Mt. Vernon, IL and worked for a year with Bruce Cox at WMIX Radio Station. From 1982 to 1985 Roger was sales manager for WLBH in Mattoon, IL. In 1985 he moved to Olney where he was station manager at radio stations, WSEI & WVLN. For the next eleven years he made his home in Carmi where he was general manager at radio stations, WRUL & WROY. While in Carmi he was actively involved in the community where he was a member and officer in both the Kiwanis Club and the Carmi Elks Club. He served in the various offices of the Carmi Chamber of Commerce and was honored to serve a term as Chamber President. For the next three years until 2001 he was general manager for stations WYFX and WRCY in Mt. Vernon, IN. In 2002 Roger moved to Lake Wales, FL and was affiliated with radio station WIPC before returning to Marion in 2003.
For more than twenty-five years Roger wrote instruction manuals teaching the technique of the sales of radio advertisement. During the years he conducted many classes, teaching sales techniques, continuing to teach allowed him to return to Marion during his mothers last years to assist in her care. Roger returned to radio, at station WKFL, in Bushnell, FL until his health forced him to return to Marion in 2005.
Roger taught advertising at various southern Illinois junior colleges, the information he compiled in the years of his teaching are included in his book, “Forty-Five Year Chronicle”, his book “Radio Travels” was published in 2007 and his other books are, “Steps For Sale” a guidebook for sales and “More Than Enough”. As long as he could he worked on his books and enjoyed the company of his family, his friends and especially his grandchildren.
Roger will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Arrangements for Roger M. Swan have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, of Marion, IL.
A time of visitation for the family and friends was between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at the funeral home. During the time of visitation a DVD Memorial Tribute was shown, displaying special people and events in Roger’s life.
The funeral service was at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2009, at Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home Marion, IL.
The prelude and postlude musical selections presented were recorded selections. Special recorded vocal musical selections presented were “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, “I Believe In Love” by Don Williams & “How Great Thou Art” by Elvis Presley.
Interment followed in Maplewood Cemetery in Marion, IL.
Pallbearers were Chris Edwards, Patrick Rose,
Ramone Mayo, Lance Roye, Jerry Bailey and Bob Wilson.
For those who preferred, memorials were made to the “Multiple Sclerosis Society”, “Hospice of Southern Illinois” or “National Kidney Foundation”. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the funeral home and mailed in care of the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.
For additional information please call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.
