Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Marshall Democrat-News

Della Marie Swopes, 88, of Sweet Springs, died Monday, July 26, 2004, at Sweet Springs Villa in Sweet Springs.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 30, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs. Pastor David Ritoch will officiate. Congregational hymns will include "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." Organist Beverly Hasselbring will provide music. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Sweet Springs. Pallbearers will be Rick Schelp, Guy Swopes, Jeff Loges, Lee Swopes, Chris O'Dell and Scott O'Dell. Honorary pallbearers will be Aaron Litton, Robbin Litton, Andrew Litton, Christopher Loges, Connor Henderson, Keegan Henderson, Will Martin, Sam Martin, Alex Suddoth, Carson Schelp, Devon Swopes, Peyton Schelp and Dylan Lilleman. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Thursday. Memorials are suggested to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Born Sept. 7, 1915 in Houstonia, she was the daughter of the late Edward Kroeschen and Bertha Schweer Kroeschen. She was married to John William Earl Swopes, who preceded her in death in 1972. She was a member of Ladies Aid at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sweet Springs. She had worked at International Shoe Company and retired from Rival Manufacturing in 1983.

Survivors include two daughters, Billie Schelp of Memphis, Tenn. and Kay O'Dell of rural Sweet Springs; one son, Charles Swopes of rural Houstonia; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and several nephews and nieces.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by seven sisters and three brothers.