Ex-County Treasurer Ivan Swanger Dies at 79

Former Orange County Treasurer Ivan H. Swanger died Sunday. He was 79.

Generally regarded as a fiscal conservative, Swanger was appointed to the treasurer’s office in 1957. He was returned to office by the voters in four consecutive elections and retired as treasurer in 1973. He was a resident of Orange County for 66 years.

Born Sept. 13, 1907, Swanger came to California from Iowa with his parents in 1919. Swanger opened an accounting office in Orange in 1938 and practiced as a certified public accountant for 20 years.

Swanger was a member of the Orange Elks Lodge 1475 and was named Elk of the Year by the lodge in 1978. He was also a member of the Orange Grove Masonic Lodge 293 for 48 years and served as president of the Orange Chamber of Commerce and the Orange Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife, Ethel, a former director of the City of Orange Public Library.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Ana. Contributions may be made to the church’s memorial fund or to charities of the donor’s choice.