Juanita Louise Swyers, 98, of Festus died May 10, 2023, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Swyers was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church in Crystal City, where she volunteered to help with Martha Mary funeral dinners and wedding dinners and with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She was a member of the Boy Scout Mother’s Club for Troop 425 for many years. Born Dec. 5, 1924, in Kaskaskia Island, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Mary Elizabeth “Bessie” (McClain) and William Everett DeRousse. She was preceded in death by her husband: James E. Swyers.
She is survived by a daughter: Darlene (Jay) Beffa of Festus; three sons: James L. (RoseAnn) Swyers of Festus, Robert J. (Sandra) Swyers of Festus and Kevin E. (Jodi) Swyers of Portland, Ore.; a sister: Jewell (the late Thomas) Maloney of Ste. Genevieve; 15 grandchildren: JJ, Ryan, Tyson, Taylor, Aubre, Kaitlyn, Kelsey, Michelle, Stefanie, Kristi, Jodi, Jeremy, Denyail, Bryon and Chris; 30 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; two great-great-grandchildren; and many other family members.
She was preceded in death by a daughter: Diane Coleman; two sons: Jeff Swyers and Keith Swyers; three brothers: Raymond “Junior” (the late Bernetta) DeRousse, Clarence “Bucky” (Ann survives of Ste. Genevieve) DeRousse and Hunter DeRousse; three sisters: Jean (the late Donald) Brown, Eileen (the late Joe) Vogt and Ruby (the late Norville) Dickerson; and a grandson: James Andrew Swyers.
Visitation is scheduled from 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main, in Festus. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 555 Bailey Road, in Crystal City, officiated by Father Gregory Klump and Deacon Jerry Stoverink. Burial is in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.