Dr. Edward T. Swan

Obituary: Dr. Edward T. Swan (1937–2026)

Dr. Edward T. Swan, 89, of Evansville, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, May 7, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born February 11, 1937, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, to Edgar T. and Claudia Thelma (Blake) Swan, Ed was a 1955 graduate of Princeton Community High School. After briefly working for Whirlpool, Ellis Park, and Potter & Brumfield, he honorably served three years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. On July 28, 1958, he married the love of his life, Shirley (Titzer) Swan; the couple shared nearly 68 years of devoted marriage.

A lifelong learner, Ed graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science from Oakland City University in 1963. He went on to earn a Master of Science from Indiana State University in 1965, followed by a Doctorate of Education with honors from Indiana University in 1970.

Dr. Swan dedicated his career to academic excellence, serving as a high school English teacher, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of the North Gibson School Corporation for over thirty years. In 1991, he joined Eastern Kentucky University as a Professor of School Administration, teaching there for seven years before retiring in 1998 to be near family in Evansville, Indiana. His professional legacy is defined by prestigious honors, including the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy’s DeWitt Fellows Award, the American Association of School Administrators' Paul B. Salmon Award, and the Indiana Music Educators Association's "Outstanding Superintendent of the Year."  

Beyond his administrative roles, he chaired the Gibson-Pike-Warrick Special Education Corporation board for 44 years. Locally, he served as a board member for the Princeton Public Library.  Dr. Swan was a past President and proud member of the Princeton Rotary Club for many years.  Dr. Swan was a longtime supporter of Indiana University Alumni Association and Varsity Club.

Ed was a man of many passions. He was a lifelong fan of St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Indiana University athletics, and Princeton Community High School band and athletics. An avid athlete, he played varsity baseball at Princeton High School.  Ed played tennis competitively well into his eighties, winning numerous tournaments until age 85. Ed cherished family vacations to Florida and the simple joy of being with those he loved.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Swan; children, Julia (Mike) Rasche, David (Laura) Swan, and Kristel (Danny) Swan-Griffin; siblings, Ida Warren, Carol (John) Hyneman, and Robert (Roxanne) Swan; as well as five grandchildren, Brett Egan, Quaid Lipking-Swan (Matt), Danielle Lipking-Swan,  Blake Swan (Jordan), and Nicholas Swan; two step-grandchildren, Daniel J. Griffin and Emily Griffin; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Billy William Jack Swan; and his brother-in-law, Jack Warren.

Service Information:

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton with Fr. Steve Lintzenich officiating. Military rites will be provided at the funeral home by the Retired Military Veterans. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and again on Friday from 9:00 AM until the service time.

Memorials:

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the following: 

Indiana State Teacher’s Association Scholarship Fund 
Make Payable to: ISTA Foundation
Memo:  Scholarship – In Memory of Dr. Edward T. Swan
Attn: Dickson Chigudu
150 W. Market Street
Suite 900
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Indiana University School of Education’s Opportunity Fund (I380009026) 
In care of: Indiana University Foundation
P.O. Box 6460
Indianapolis, IN, 46206-6460

*To ensure gifts are properly received, please include the following note: “In Memorial Edward T Swan to I-380009026
*If you prefer to give online, then please go to:
https://give.myiu.org/iu-bloomington/I380009026.html

Gentiva Hospice Care Foundation
In Honor of: Edward T. Swan; AND
Name of family: Shirley M. Swan
6821 Green Cove Avenue
Evansville, IN 47715
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/GentivaFoundation/GHS.html

Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at ColvinFuneralHome.com. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Swan family. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Edward T. Swan, please visit our floral store.