June 22, 1972 — Dec. 23, 2015

Laurence “Fred” Swank, Jr. age 43, of Cassopolis, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 23, 2015, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born June 22, 1972, in Dowagiac, Michigan, the only child of Laurence and Kathleen (Hankins) Swank. His parents preceded him in death just two days apart in 2010. He was also preceded by his paternal grandparents, Claude and Lenore Swank; his maternal grandparents, Edward and Grace Hankins; three aunts, Aleyne Parsons, Patti Spooner, Eleanor Klapchuk; and three uncles, Edward Hankins, Jr., Gordon Gleason and Leo Swank.

Fred liked photography and television production. He loved animals. Fred worked with his dad in the family’s farm machinery repair business. For a while he managed the Arby’s in Cassopolis. Fred loved to watch movies. He enjoyed fishing and target practice. The Boy Scouts had been a big part of his life. Fred liked visiting and chatting with friends.

Fred will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his five aunts, Carol (husband, Neil) Pence of Cassopolis, Diane (husband, Roland “Dwight”) Jackson of Niles, Suzanne (husband, Rick) Johnson of Elkhart, Mary (husband, Robert) Wilds of Niles, Julie (David Wall) Hankins of Cassopolis; three uncles, Duane Hankins of Cassopolis, Ronald “George” Swank of North Augusta, South Carolina, Richard Swank of Sherwood, Michigan; a host of cousins; and best friends, Mario and Jeanette Williams and family of Marcellus.

Family and friends will gather Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015, at 9 a.m. for a Graveside Service in Crane Cemetery (corner of Decatur and Crane Roads), where his remains will be laid to rest beside his parents.

The family prefers contributions be made in Fred’s memory to either, the Boy Scouts of America, Southwest Michigan Council, 1791 Columbia Avenue West, Battle Creek, Michigan 49015, or, Cass County Cancer Service, Post Office Box 676, Edwardsburg, Michigan 49112.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.