Jack G. Swope

Jack G. Swope, 79 of St.Ignace passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, June 27 surrounded by a loving family following a lingering illness. He was born February 9,1933 in Clarendon,MI to Ren and Marjorie (Gea) Swope. He graduated from Homer High School in 1950.. He and his wife Bev moved to St.Ignace from Homer,MI in 1977. Jack owned Rennco Packaging Co., employing over a hundred people, after developing the machine to package everything in plastic. He showed the machine in 1969 at Cobo Hall, and marketed and sold it world wide and sold Rennco in April, 2000. In 1987 he purchased the Budget Host Inn in St.Ignace and owned it until 1995, selling to his son, David and his wife Lisa. Jack was very active in the community and state tourism; was a member of the Board of Directors of the 1st National Bank of St.Ignace; former member of UPTRA Board; State of Michigan Tourism Board; School board in both Homer and St.Ignace; was Citizen of the Year in 1995 in St.Ignace; formerly;owned theRadio Shack on State Street in St.Ignace and purchased the Marina Pub; recently.. .. He loved to hunt and made several trips to Africa, and also Canada and South Dakota. He was en excellent skeet shooter, even though he had one eye. a loss since childhood. Jack also loved to fish, but hunting was his favorite passtime He was a member of St.Ignace Sportmans Club; Ducks Unlimited, and Rough Grouse Society.. and Mackinac Straits Shooters Association.He will be missed in St.Ignace, and was always doing something to promote tourism in the community., and not a self serving person.He was an active member of St.Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church and a member of the Finance Committee., to share his expertise to his church. On December 4,1970 he married Beverly Gregg in Homer, and she survives; one son, David T. and Lisa Swope, St.Ignace; 2 grandchildren, Corey and Chelsea.3 brothers, Ren and Gerry Swope, West Bloomfield; David M Swope, Homer; and Stan and Judy Swope, Homer; a sister, Mary and George Eros, Howell; and father in law, Bob Gregg, St.Ignace. Friends may call at St.Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in St.Ignace on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm.Parish prayers will be at 7 pm with Fr Pawel Mecwel officiating. Mass of Christian burial will be on Friday, June 29 at 1 pm at St.Ignatius Church with Fr. Mecwel officiating. Burial will be in St.Ignatius Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family; Ren, David M. and Stan Swope; George Eros; David T. Swope and Cory Swope. Memorials may be directed to the Mackinac Straits Health System Oncology or St. Ignace Area Community Foundation with envelopes available from Dodson Funeral Home who assisted with arrangements.

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Jack G. Swope

June 27, 2012