John Svaan Obituary

John Svaan MT. PLEASANT - Dr. John Svaan, aged 92, Mount Pleasant John Svaan of Mount Pleasant died peacefully on Friday, May 3, at his home in Mount Pleasant. His wife, Eleanor Ruhe Daniel, was by his side. John Svaan was born in Storen, Norway, on June 16, 1926, to parents Jarle Svaan and Marit Sagflaat Svaan. He moved to Brooklyn, New York, in November 1930. After graduating from Brooklyn Tech High School in 1945, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in the Philippines until his honorable discharge in December 1946. He then enrolled in Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, graduating in 1950. During his time at Taylor he met Shirley Jean Gaerte. They married in June 1949. John next studied at Trinity Seminary in Chicago, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1953. He worked as a pastor, elementary educator and high school guidance counselor in Connecticut, Indiana and Texas. He earned Masters and PhD degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, then joined the faculty of Indiana University in Bloomington. He later worked as a staff psychologist for state and federal agencies in Indiana and Arizona. He was owner and principal psychologist for Indiana Evaluation Services. After the death of Shirley in 2008, he re-connected with Eleanor, sweetheart from high school days in Brooklyn. They married in November 2009 and lived in Dunwoody, Georgia, before moving to Mount Pleasant in 2012. John was preceded in death by his parents, Jarle and Marit; his sister, Marit; and brothers, Ronald and Jarle; and first wife, Shirley. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor. Also survived by sister, Mildred Berg (Roy); children, Eric Svaan (Natalie), Rebecca Svaan, Kristine McCurdy (Robert), and Joanna Langberg (Alexander). Also survived by grandchildren, Chara Karsten, Angela Svaan, Callie McDonough, Kyle Impini, Steven Impini, Samantha Smith, Nicholas Langberg, Erik Langberg and 3 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include stepsons, Kenneth Daniel and Russell Daniel and stepdaughter, Jill Hooper, their spouses and children and 1 great-grandchild. John loved his Lord and his family. He was a devoted member of Mount Pleasant First Baptist Church. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston