Richard L. Swem - Owner/Manager

Dick, lifetime resident of Buchanan and second generation funeral director, started his career in funeral service at age fourteen working in his father's funeral home. He became a licensed funeral director after graduating from Wayne State University in 1955 at which time he joined the family business. Dick, as he is known, has spent his entire life in funeral service except for the time he served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic. Dick and his wife Becky have four grown children and nine grandchildren. The Swems are active members in the Buchanan Community and hold membership in a number of local organizations and serve on many of its boards. In 2007, the Swem Chapel celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary of service to Buchanan and surrounding area families.

Deanna M. Swem - Director of Family Services

Deanna is the Director of Family Services for Swem Chapel. She is currently working toward becoming a licensed funeral director. Deanna will be serving those seeking advance funeral planning, guiding families at a time of need, as well as directing the aftercare program. Meeting the wishes of every family is of the utmost importance to her. She is ready to assist the many families today who seek a personalized service, which can include such elements as customized service folders and register books, video tributes, photos and mementos from home, and personally selected music. Deanna is the third generation of the Swem family to join in the operation of the funeral home. As a life long resident of Buchanan, Deanna has deep roots in the area. She is married to Robert Swem, and they have three children; Mason, Brendon and Campbell.

John Letcher - Funeral Assistant

John has lived in the Buchanan-Niles area his entire life. He has worked at Swem Chapel for over 50 years. He retired after 30 years as a shipping receiving supervisor for Clark Equipment Company in Buchanan.

John enjoys gardening, as he has a large vegetable garden, fruit garden, and a small orchard. He and Judy, his wife of 49 years, enjoy retirement and traveling. They have a daughter and two grandchildren.

Roy Mark - Funeral Assistant

In addition to working at Swem Chapel, Roy is an elder and minister of homecare in the Buchanan Christian Church, a member of the Buchanan Ministerial Association, President of the Red Bud Ministries, and a crossing guard for the elementary schools in Buchanan. He is a retired meat cutter and machine shop worker. Roy is an Army veteran, having served stateside during the Vietnam era. He is passionate about God, his country, and his family and friends.

Roy and Tilly, his wife of 26 years, live in Buchanan. They have twin sons, Nate and Noel. He has three sons and a daughter from a previous marriage along with four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

David Froehlich - Advanced Planning Counselor

David is a life long resident of St. Joseph. He retired from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans after serving his members with their insurance and financial needs for 17 years. David and his brothers, Karl and Ted, owned and operated Froehlich’s Little Super in St. Joseph from 1970 until 1986. Their parents, Harry and Elsie, began the business in 1940.

David is a member of Grace Lutheran Church in St. Joseph and the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Kiwanis Club. He enjoys golfing, reading, and fishing. He and his wife Margaret have two children and three grandchildren.