Alfred E. SWETTMAN Jr.

  1943 - 2014

PLEASANT PLAINS, IL - Alfred E. Swettman, Jr., 71, of Pleasant Plains, passed away at 9:50 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, at Memorial Medical Center.

Alfred was born May 28, 1943, in Springfield, the son of Alfred E. Swettman, Sr., and Wanda Waters Swettman. He married Carol S. Oglesby on Aug. 4, 1999, in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Alfred was a graduate of Springfield High School and attended SIU Carbondale. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and the Naval Reserve. Alfred owned the New Berlin Bee and the Pleasant Plains Press for over 25 years before his retirement in 2000. Alfred was a member of the Sangamon County Emergency Telephone Systems Board (911) for 20 years, serving as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Finance and Building Committees. He enjoyed his farm, being outdoors, and his many hobbies.

He was a Ham Radio operator since his teenage years. Call sign K9QFR earned his Extra Class license and was on the DXCC Honor Roll and also earned the DXCC Challenge.

Alfred was a cook and judge at chilli cook-offs, winning several trophies. Alfred founded and chaired the Sangamon County Fair Chilli Cook-off and was an organizer for the Mid-State Easter Seals Chilli Cook-off. He co-chaired the Illinois State Fair Chilli Cook-off for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Mark Swettman.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; two grandsons, Jacob Wagner of Virginia Beach, Va., and Mitchel Wagner of Grandview, Wash.; aunt and uncle, Patricia and Gary Coffey of Edwardsville; four cousins: Greg Coffey, Susan Cranford, Laurie Coffey and Brett Coffey; and two stepsons, Andrew Mount of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Jeremy Mount of Raytown, Mo.

Cremation was accorded by Lincoln Land Cremation Society. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Animal Protective League, 1001 Taintor Rd., Springfield, IL 62702.

SJ-R /Nov. 23, 14