Thomas Leo Swiat, Jr.

Thomas Leo Swiat, Jr., 78 of Schoolcraft, MI passed away on April 18,2026 at Rose Arbor Hospice. Tom was born March 16,1948 to Thomas and Jetta (Finch) Swiat, Sr. in Kalamazoo, MI.

A graduate of Hackett Central High School’s class of 1966, he attended Northern Michigan University before completing his degree at Michigan State University. He then served his country as a United States of America Marine based in San Diego, CA.

After working in several positions, he dedicated his career to the 100-year-old family firm, Olmsted and Mulhall, serving his clients with trust as a financial advisor and stockbroker.

He also committed over two decades of service to Prairie Ronde Township as supervisor and clerk.

Tom, a confirmed bachelor, married Priscilla (Koestner-Cronley) on May 12, 2001, at St Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Portage MI. Making their home in Schoolcraft, MI with his two dogs, (he was known as the “Dog-Whisperer”), the couple were active members of St Martin of Tours Catholic Church parish family.

Later in life, after years of golf, hunting and fishing, his love of nature found a new expression in his care of the 120 acres he purchased in Gobles, MI. This became his Happy Place. Preserving native grasses, water and wildlife, he spent nearly every day walking the property with friends and family. Friends and relationships were very important to Tom, and he worked hard to maintain these relationships.

Tom was described by his family as a man who approached life with strength, wisdom, curiosity, unwavering independence and self-discipline. His thrifty, conservative values were coupled with warmth, faith and his standard response to inquiries about his well-being - “Peachy Keen and getting better.” His Polish heritage brought out “Yah ser poker, let'er go.”

He is proceeded in death by his parents Thomas, Sr. and Jetta Pearl Swiat.

Surviving are his wife, Priscilla, three siblings: Ann Gibbons of Portage, MI; Kathleen (Bill) Howard of Fife Lake, MI and David Swiat of Beaver Island and Kalamazoo, MI; Devon Swiat of FL; a special niece: Aaron (Dan) Sampson of Portage, MI and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tom is also survived by four stepchildren who affectionately called him Tomma & Momma: Lisa (Brian) Blackledge, OH; Charles Cronley, of OH; Kelly (Jay) Wood, of MO; Christina (Charles) Somner of GA; and several grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held from St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church on Friday, May, 1, 2026 at 11am with Monsignor Thomas Martin officiating. The family will have a visitation at the funeral home on Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm. Then another visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. A private graveside service will be held at Harrison Cemetery, Schoolcraft, MI.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Tom's guestbook and share your favorite memory with his family.

The Swiat family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097, (269) 649-1697.