Obituary of Fred Schwaner

SCHWANER, Fred E., Jr., age 85 of Wyckoff, went to be with his Lord on Monday, August 13, 2012 at The Bickford in Okemos, MI. The Schwaner family would like to extend a special thank you to the Staff at the Bickford for their caring attention to Fred over the past several months. Fred was born in Paterson and raised in Fair Lawn before moving to Wyckoff 48 years ago. Early in his life he graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson. Joining the United States Navy in 1944, he was on the USS Wasp during WWII where he saw much combat in the Pacific Theater. After leaving the Navy, Fred had several jobs until he worked for Dell Publishing. Marrying Ruth (nee Shields) in 1950, he became an agent with Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Company of Washington, DC for the next 35 plus years. After his retirement, he still stayed active in the insurance business. He was an elder in the reformed church and presently a faithful member of Grace Bible Church in North Haledon. Fred was also a long time member of the Gideons. Playing his trumpet since he was 8 years old, Fred played in several big bands of the late 1940's. Fred and Ruth played music together in church, special events and just for fun. Along with his wife Ruth playing the piano, Fred volunteered his time and talent playing the trumpet for the residents of the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff. He enjoyed vacations in LBI in NJ and Marco Island in Florida. Playing golf was his game and he was a big Yankee's fan. Fred also played in the Wyckoff Dance Band and played taps for the Memorial Day events in Wyckoff and North Haledon for as long as one could remember. Fred was predeceased by his wife Ruth (nee Shields) on November 9, 2011. Surviving are his devoted sons, Frederick E. Schwaner III and his wife Donna of West Milford and David Schwaner and his wife Kathleen of Okemos, MI. Fred also leaves his loving grandchildren Michael, Scott, Jessica, Kelly, Andrew, Tyler and Jordan. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:00 am from Grace Bible Church, 369 High Mountain Road, North Haledon, NJ 07508. Interment will follow in the Laurel Grove Memorial Park in Totowa. Visiting is Friday, 2-4 and 7-9 at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Bible Church.