David “Swy” Swymeler passed away on January 6, 2024. Dave was born in St. Joseph, MO to Isaac “Earl” Swymeler and Murvene “Mickey” (Cochran) Swymeler on June 9, 1952.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mickey, his brothers Steve, Michael and Robert (Debra) and great-granddaughter, Mila.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughters, Ashley Morris (Matthew) of Warrensburg, MO, Sarah Glick (Daniel) of Santa Rosa, CA, Jenna Clark (Matthew) of New York, NY, Monica Kellison (Johnny), Susie Lisenbee (Jeff) and Kelly Chance (Truly) all of St. Joseph, MO.
He is also survived by his brother Gary Swymeler (Mary) of Oklahoma City, OK as well as seventeen grandchildren (Taylor, Chance, Tessa, Ariel, Emma, Ellason, Kyle, Bryan, Jason, Calvin, Logan, Declan, Kai, Addyson, Alice, Arthur and Wren) and five great-grandchildren (Kaiden, Colson, Kenadee, Charli and Liam).
David attended St. Mary’s Parish elementary school, graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1970 and graduated from Missouri Western State University. In his professional life, Dave retired from the Wire Rope Corporation and continued his career by working in education and later for the State of Missouri as a probation officer.
There were five great loves in Dave’s life: his wife Nancy, his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the five Swymeler brothers and their families, his Catholic faith and last but not least, Notre Dame football. It is perhaps no coincidence that Dave chose his last day on earth to be Lou Holtz’s birthday.
Dave was an extremely active member of the St. Francis Parish community. Anyone who met Dave could count on a friendly smile, a wave and kind words. He believed in acts of service and volunteered whenever there was a need. Dave loved holding babies (some would say a baby hog) and was a lifelong animal lover. The Swymeler home hosted many a stray dog, kitten, goat or mini-horse.
His daughters will remember that nothing good happens after midnight and trying your best is what matters. Every phone call ended with “Be Good, Love You Baby”
A Rosary followed by Visitation will be at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Funeral Home (3609 Frederick Avenue) on Thursday, January 11, 5:00-7:00pm. The funeral mass will be at St. Francis Xavier Church in St. Joseph on Friday, January 12 at 10:00am.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of St. Joseph, Birthright of St. Joseph or St. Francis Xavier Church.
