John Francis Swann

The staff at Heishman Funeral Home Inc. sends condolences to the family of John Francis Swann. John was born on February 25, 1961, in Washington D.C. He was a proud United States Navy Veteran. He served his country from 1984 to 1988 as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal in the V2 Division and often referred to those years as some of the best of his life. Fishing was John’s first love which turned into his vocation and lifetime hobby. John has been a fisherman since childhood and has many memories and tales of fishing with his “Slap Happy Crappy Pappy” (John F. Delinski) in the ponds of Fort Valley. He would eventually turn this passion into his career when he won his first Ranger bass boat in the 1990 Virginia Bassmaster Top 100 Pro-Am tournament at Buggs Island in South Hill, Virginia. He went on to create a successful bass fishing guide business in Central Florida for over 20 years called Swanny’s Bass Guides Plus. For as great of a fisherman John was, he was an even better father to his only child, Lyndsey. He was her best friend and biggest fan. John took every opportunity to support her in every endeavor she pursued. Lyndsey was his absolute pride and greatest joy. John met the love of his life, Roseann, while he was stationed in Mayport, Florida in 1984. They lived at The Lonesome Dove in Fort Valley for the last several years where he spent the majority of his time growing tomatoes in his garden and fishing at local ponds with his daughter and closest friends. He loved watching the birds and other wildlife that came to visit him at the cabin. A perfect day for John would be enjoying a tray of crab legs while watching the Redskins and drinking his sweet iced tea. To know John was to know his strong will, larger-than-life personality, boisterous spirit, and booming voice as well as his deeply generous heart. John is predeceased by his parents Doris Delinski and Robert (Bob) Swann. John is survived by his wife of 38 years, Roseann Swann; daughter Lyndsey Swann; brother Robert "Butch" (Judy) Swann, niece Kristen, and nephews Luke, and Jacob; uncle John (Donna) Delinski, cousin Dianna Brown; uncle Richard Swann, cousins Tammy Crook, Ralph Kneessi, Michael Morris, as well as many other cherished family members, friends, and shipmates. A funeral service will be held Friday, March 22, 2024, at 3:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Fort Valley, VA. The family will receive friends an hour prior at the church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fort Valley Volunteer Fire Department and/or Faith Lutheran Church Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com Arrangements are in the care of Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.

John Francis Swann

February 25, 1961 - March 13, 2024