Hastings resident David C. J. (Joe) “Dave” Schawang, 78, passed away Sunday, August 18, 2024, at the Nebraska VA Medical Center, Grand Island, NE.
Memorial Services with military rites by the Nebraska Army National Guard Honor Team will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 24, at First Presbyterian Church in Hastings with Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett officiating. Burial will be held at a later date at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. A book signing will be 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. with the family present 5-7 p.m. Friday, August 23, at the funeral home, and one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Start Over Rover or First Presbyterian Church Renovation Campaign.
The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to David’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lbvfh.com. Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home & Cremation Center is serving the family.
Dave was born July 5, 1946, in Falls City, NE to William Sr. and Mary (Nitzsche) Schawang. He graduated with the Class of 1964 from Sacred Heart High School in Falls City. Dave enlisted in the Army National Guard and served from 1965 to 1972. He farmed with his dad until late 1967.
Dave met his future wife, Janet Young, in Lincoln on a blind date. They were married on February 4, 1967, in Hastings. Two children were born to this union, Kimberly and Kevin.
They moved to Hastings and he worked for Allis Chalmers and Kansas Nebraska Natural Gas for 25 years as a fleet mechanic. Dave also worked in natural gas for NAFSI in Grand Island. Later he owned his own company Compressed Fuel, Inc. for several years. He worked part-time for Ozark Insurance and in real estate. Dave then devoted his time to restoring muscle cars. He was one of several people who organized Hastings Melon Roasters Car Club in 2010, being its first President.
Dave was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served as Deacon, Elder, and was the head of the ushering team. He was a past member of Elks Lodge #159, past President of the Hastings Board of Realtors, and charter member and past President of the Hastings Melon Roasters Car Club.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronnie, Willie Jr., and Wayne; and sister-in-law, Betty Schawang.
Survivors include: his wife of 57 years, Janet Schawang – Hastings, NE; daughter Kimberly (George) Schawang-Smith – Purdum, NE; son Kevin (Meggan) Schawang – Hastings, NE; grandchildren Elizabeth Smith – Kearney, NE, Jay Smith – Omaha, NE, Lynn Smith – Omaha, NE, Arthur Schawang – Hastings, NE, Henry Schawang – Hastings, NE; sisters-in-law Christine Young – Hastings, NE, Nancy Schawang – Falls City, NE; nieces and nephews from the Falls City area Jeannie (Dave) Mullins, Jackie (Terry) Way, Martha (Todd) Chapple, Teresa Schawang, Rick (Lisa) Schawang, Daren (Kim) Schawang; close family friend Patrick Crawford – Hastings, NE and special furry dog, Jamie.
