Mary Jean Swager

Mary Jean Swager, 80, Nevada, Mo., passed away Feb. 3, 2004, at Nevada Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. She was born Sept. 6, 1923, in Moundville, Mo., to Homer E. Maple and Glessner L. Weaver Maple. She married Frank L. Swager, Jr., on Oct. 27, 1942, in Vancouver, Wash., and he survives of the home.

Mary grew up in Moundville. She was a graduate of Nevada High School in 1941. Prior to becoming a devout homemaker, she worked for the Department of Agriculture in Nevada as a secretary. She worked in Portland, Ore., worked for the water district in Vista, Calif., North American Aviation in Kansas City in the personnel department as a stenographer/secretary. She lived in Pittsburg, Kan., Kansas City, Mo., and in Dallas, Texas. Mrs. Swager was a member of the United Methodist Church and was active in the Helping Hands. She loved sewing and was an avid gardener. She also liked politics, current events, antiques and was a former Brownie leader.

She is survived by her husband Frank, of the home; two daughters, Susan Liter and her husband Wilson, Nevada, Mo., and Ellen Gundy and her husband Doug, Tulsa, Okla.; four grandchildren, Mark Liter and his wife Amy, Joplin, Mo., Holly Liter, Nashville, Tenn., Taylor Gundy, Woodland Hills, Calif., and Evan Gundy, Tulsa, Okla.; one great-granddaughter, Anna Claire Liter, Joplin, Mo.; one brother, William Maple, Independence, Mo., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Maxine McNeill and Beverly McPhail, and one infant brother.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 7, with Pastor Ralph Clark officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park. Friends may call now and until the hour of service. The family will receive friends 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Ferry Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the Vernon County Cancer Relief, in care of Betty Easley, 167 Country Club Drive, Nevada, MO, or the United Methodist Church, 500 S. College, Nevada, MO 64772.