Paul Swets ’63

Paul W. Swets, son of William A. and Ethel Leestma Swets, was born on April 2, 1941 and died on July 14, 2023.

He is survived by his one and only beautiful wife and best friend, Janiece Sue Smoll Swets ’65, and his extraordinary family (he wrote this 🙂 son, Judson Paul Swets married to Lori Sytsma Swets, and daughter, Jessica Joy Swets Roberts married to Benjamin W. Roberts,five fabulous grandchildren, Nathaniel, Jackson, Lydia, Solomon, and Dylan and his sisters, Marcia Buck ’66, Faith Curtis, Karen Watson, and Mary Teasley. His sister, Ethelanne Swets TenPas preceded him in death.

Paul Swets’ motto was, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Dr. Swets has degrees in Psychology, Theology, American Culture, and Communication.

He served as Minister to Students at the University Reformed Church in Ann Arbor Michigan, Pastor of Christ Community Church in Palm Springs Florida, and Minister of Congregational Care at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis Tennessee.

In 2012, he and Janiece retired to Holland, Michigan and joined the Pillar Church family. He is known (we wrote this 🙂 for his wisdom, compassion, humor, gentleness, and as one who never tired of living and sharing the grace of God.