John Adam Schwartz

Wasilla resident John Adam Schwartz, 88, died at Mat-Su Regional Hospital with his loving wife at his side.

Contact Valley Funeral Home for service information.

John was born Oct. 7, 1922, in New York, N.Y., son of Adam and Elizabeth (Mahr) Schwartz.

John graduated from Irvington High School in Irvington, N.J.; and later enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. John was a World War II Veteran and served his country at Guadalcanal SW. Pacific. He was recalled for the Korean War. During his service John obtained the rank of Technical Sergeant and received the following medals: Asiatic-Pacific, American Theater, World War II Victory, and Good Conduct. As a member of the First Aircraft Unit occupying the Russell Islands, Solomon Island area, he displayed commendable spirit while under adverse conditions.

John worked as Station Chief for the DEW Line at Point Barrow; Dairy Farmer (full-filling a life-long dream) in Bloomville, N.Y.; trans-Alaska pipeline; Power Plant Operator for the DEW Line in Tin City and Cold Bay. John later retired from Local 302, Operating Engineers in 1984.

As an Alaskan resident John lived in Anchorage, Homer, Palmer and Wasilla.

John enjoyed carpentry and built his own house and barn. He also enjoyed collecting stamps and coins, gardening and researching his genealogy.

The family wrote “Once a Marine, always a Marine. We were married 60 years. He was strict, but a loving husband and dad.”

“Dad loved the ocean, and some of my fondest memories are fishing with my Dad and my kids on his boat in Homer. Dad had a whimsical side, once while camping near Trapper Creek with Mount McKinley in full view Dad said, ‘Let’s fly into McKinley.’ The next thing I know we’re in Talkeetna getting into a Bush plane. He flew us up to the Ruth Glacier where we enjoyed the rest of the day.”

John is preceded in death by his brothers, Michael and Joseph Schwartz; daughter-in-law, Shirley Lake Schwartz; and granddaughter, Devon Angel Schwartz.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Frances P. Schwartz of Wasilla; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Jessica, Daniel and Ruth, Robert and Donna; grandchildren, Jennifer, Bethany, Gavin, Logan, Kristen, Tyler, Cullen and Corissa; and great-grandson, Jaxon.

Valley Funeral Home and Crematory cared for the family.