Ethel L. Schwegman

Went to meet our Lord and Savior on Monday, May 5, 2014 at the age 83. She was born in Oxford on October 14, 1930, the daughter of Joseph J. and Alma (DuBois) Thomas. She married Harold Leo Schwegman on January 6, 1951 in Oxford and he preceded her in death on January 23, 2004. Ethel was a lifetime resident of the Oxford area. She was a faithful wife of 53 years before her husband’s passing in 2004. She devoted her life to her family, her friends, and those in need. She was known for her faithfulness and service to the Lord, her outstanding hospitality, which included her famous “apple pie”, and for being a compassionate care giver. She was a very active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church for 70 plus years. Her lifetime ministry was being the hands and feet of Jesus. Her gifts were many, her heart, her passion, were for the elderly. In her younger years she enjoyed singing, sports, dancing, going to movies and continued to enjoy as she aged board games and cards with her family and friends especially her grandchildren. She began her ministry at the age of 11, singing mass daily until the age of 20. She sang in the choir, served in the ladies society, and was instrumental in the Eucharist ministry that served those in the hospital, nursing homes, and homebound. She served in ministry until she herself became incapacitated and a resident of Woodland Country Manor. Even then her championing of the power of prayer continued. Clearly her faith was her strength and guide through her life. Often she would say she could see the face of Jesus in others. Ethel was artistic and creative and enjoyed bringing others joy, whether it was making them a gift or setting a table. She didn’t just set a table it was designed for the celebration of the season or a special occasion that was always a blessing to those in attendance. Many lives were marked by her touch, her laugh, her prayers and she will be greatly missed. She is survived by her children, Vickie Bryant, Richmond, IN, Steve (Theresa) Schwegman, Liberty, IN, Tom (Sheila) Schwegman, Liberty, IN, Julie (Roger) Perry, West College Corner, IN and Brian (Milly) Schwegman, West College Corner, IN; a brother, William “Bill” (Mary) Thomas, Dayton; nine grandchildren, Chris (Crystal) Bryant, Steve (Becky) Schwegman, Ashley (Scott) Otto, Daniel (Morgan) Schwegman, Cynthia (Nate) Stevens, Aryn & Jordan Perry, Rachael, Ryan (Savanah) Schwegman; nine great grandchildren, Christopher, Isaiah & Jacob Bryant, Ethan, Kylie and Cora Schwegman, Aiden Otto, Avery and Aniston Stevens and a host of other relatives and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother, Art Thomas and two sisters, Edna Nichols and Loretta Rigling. A mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 111 East High Street, Oxford with Father Jeff Silver Celebrant. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Online condolences are available at www.weigelfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Ethel L. Schwegman

May 5, 2014