Lawrence Herbert Schweir

Lawrence H. Schweir, 80, of the Wells Creek Community near Belvue, Kansas, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2008 at Stormont-Vail Health Center in Topeka. He was born on his family farm in the Wells Creek Community on February 24, 1928 the son of Henry P. and Lillie (Heine) Schweir. Lawrence attended a small country grade school in the Wells Creek area and attended Wamego High School for two years, then attended the Paxico High School for his final two years and graduated in the class of 1946. He married Gertrude Ann Casper on November 5, 1950 at the Wells Creek United Church of Christ. She survives of the home. Following school, Lawrence began working as a welder at Balderson Inc. until he enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. He was stationed in Arizona and England with the rank of Airman 1st Class, until his honorable discharge in 1956. He returned to Wamego to continue to work at Balderson’s as a welder until 1962, when he started to farm full time on the land that he and Gertrude had purchased together in the Wells Creek area. Lawrence farmed their land for nearly 40 years, growing crops, raising cattle and hogs, and he even had some dairy cattle for a short time, before finally retiring in 2000. He was a past member of the Wells Creek United Church of Christ, the St. George Black Jack American Legion, St. Marys Farmers Co-Op, and served for several years on the Kaw Township Board. Lawrence was very good at creating and building things on his own. He could repair all types of machinery, and built many things with his own hands. He built the home that his family lived in and most of the farm buildings too. He was careful to make sure that all of his work was done to perfection. He also enjoyed fishing, going to dances with Gertrude, watching his grandkids play sports, and loved to visit with people. Lawrence is also survived by his children, Karen Rezac of St. Marys, KS, Kenneth Schweir of Belvue, KS, Paul Schweir of Maple Hill, KS, and Wayne Schweir of Belvue, KS.; a brother, LeRoy Schweir of McFarland, KS; three grandchildren, Travis, Troy and Kayla Rezac. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Jean Schweir. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 17th, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego with burial following in Wamego City Cemetery. Mr. Schweir will lie in-state at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 16th, where the family will greet friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Memorials have been designated for the Terry C. Johnson Center for Cancer Research at KSU and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego 66547.