Joseph Gerard Schwartz 1936-2012

SCHWARTZ FREEMAN DARNER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2012 at 11:34:59

Sioux City Journal
February 18, 2012

SIOUX CITY -- Joseph Gerard Schwartz of Sioux City passed away Feb. 15, 2012, at his residence, surrounded by his family, ending his gallant battle with kidney cancer.

Services will be 7 p.m. Sunday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Visitation with the family will be 5 p.m. until service time Sunday at the funeral home. Please wear your favorite sports team item to the service to honor Joe's love of sports.

He was born Feb. 5, 1936, in Aurora, Ill., the son of Mark and Eva (Freeman) Schwartz. He was the oldest of 12 children. He grew up in Aurora and graduated from East Aurora High School. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean conflict. He attended Drake University on the GI Bill.

During his time at Drake, he found the love of his life in Patricia Joan Darner. The two quickly fell in love and were married on Aug. 30, 1958. He graduated from Drake with a degree in pharmacy. Joe was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity as well as the Phi Delta Chi Fraternity.

He and Pat relocated throughout the first few years of their marriage eventually settling down in Denison, Iowa. In Denison, Joe and Pat owned the Denison Drug Store. They moved to Sioux City in 1998, where Joe worked for Mercy Medical Center and then Target Pharmacy.

Joe was involved in many charitable organizations including serving as lieutenant governor for Kiwanis, president of the Denison Country Club, a member of the Isaac Walton League, Ducks Unlimited, and the National Rifle Association. Joe also helped his wife, Pat, and daughter, Cindy, with many Girl Scout activities.

He was an avid golfer and general sports nut. Joe got to play on some famous golf courses including Pinehurst, Bay Hills and Torrey Pines. He enjoyed dabbling in the kitchen. His specialty was his chocolate cake from scratch.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Schwartz; three children, Jeff and Amy Schwartz and their sons, Henry and Will of Clinton, N.J., Cindy Kinzey and her daughter, Jenny and Sarah of Sioux City, and Chris and Kelly Schwartz and their son, Cole of San Tan Valley, Ariz.; and several brothers and sisters, Mark Schwartz, Jim Schwartz, Steve Schwartz, Mike Schwartz, Marcia Chouinard, Margo Olsen, Cheri Walker, and Eva Hoffman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, John, Pat and Rich Schwartz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe's name may be made to First Tee of Woodbury County. This is a program that helps kids learn to golf, as well as promotes sportsmanship and core values. First Tee of Woodbury County, 822 Douglas St., Suite 401, Sioux City, IA 51101.