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Former Kirkwood Mayor Mike Swoboda dies
By Elizabethe Holland
Saturday, Sep. 06 2008
Seven months after surviving two gunshot wounds to his head, former Kirkwood
Mayor Mike Swoboda died this morning after a brief stay in a hospice.
With his family alongside him, Mr. Swoboda died at the hospice on the campus of
St. Anthony's Medical Center in south St. Louis County. He entered the hospice
earlier this week following a rapid decline in his health. His son, Michael
Swoboda, said his father's passing was peaceful.
Mr. Swoboda would have turned 70 later this month.
Mr. Swoboda was shot during the shooting rampage Feb. 7 at Kirkwood City Hall
in which five of the city’s public servants and the gunman were killed. His
survival seemed unlikely, but three weeks after the shootings, he was released
to a rehabilitation hospital, and a month after that he went home.
Mr. Swoboda served four terms on the Kirkwood City Council before he first was
elected mayor in 2000.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sue Swoboda; his daughter, Katy
Hutchison and her husband, Charlie, of Valley Park; his son, Michael, of
Kirkwood; and 9-year-old Funizwe Gaines, a boy the Swoboda's long have
considered their grandson.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Check back with STLToday or the Sunday Post-Dispatch for a full obituary of Mr.
Swoboda.
Rest in Peace.
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