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Janis Swepston Obituary

Swepston Janis Swepston obituary. An Angel left this earth on Saturday, September 28, 2013. She possessed the gifts of grace, dignity, charm and understanding and was loved by all who knew her. We are sure that the sun was shining brightly, the birds were singing beautifully and the flowers were blooming splendidly upon the birth of Janis Swepston on August 12, 1947. Janis Swepston died with the same quiet nobility and determination with which she lived her 66 years of life. Janis was the quintessential gentle lady whose elegance and kind presence blessed us all. She was gifted with integrity, beauty, a sense of honor and purpose and was the personification of graciousness. She endowed us all with her beautiful spirit, kindness and a gentle demeanor. She always believed in doing what was moral and right and honorable. Her legacy will serve to perpetuate caring and kindness and she will forever be remembered for never mistreating an animal or a human being. The world is diminished and its lights darkened by her passing. Her kindness and warmth permeated all of her relationships and her character and integrity embraced us all. Janis Swepston's courage, fortitude and honor have been an inspiration to many people. Words can never express how much her life meant and how much she was loved. She touched our souls and graced everyone around her. Her presence will always remain with us. There is presently one extraordinary memorial to this remarkable lady - The profusion of young lives that she impacted while she worked as a children's Librarian at the Marion Public Library for 30 years. Janis also had multiple avocational pursuits. Reading - she was a voracious reader of fiction and non-fiction. Live theatre - she has always been fascinated by this type of artistic expression. She has attended performances in Chicago, Toronto, London and New York City. Travel - she had an adventuresome spirit combined with a lively intellect and a profound sense of culture. She was fascinated with other societies ways of life and traditions. She absolutely loved her trips to these Western European Sites: Paris, London, Rome, Pompeii, Florence, Venice, Sicily, St. Moritz and Zermatt. Music - her music tastes embraced a wide range from blues, jazz, opera, rock & roll, country and pop vocals. Art - she has long been an art aficionado. Her favorite style was Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. She absolutely adored the artistry and flair of Claude Monet. On two separate occasions she traveled to Giverny, France to visit his home and surrounding gardens, water lily pond and his eminent bridge. Others in this genre she admired were Edouardo Manet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Paul Cezanne, Camille Pissaro, and Vincent Van Gogh. Janis graduated from Marion Harding High School in 1965. She attended The Ohio State University and was employed as a Children's Librarian at the Marion Public Library for 30 years. She was preceded in death by her father Paul R. Eshman, her mother, Lois M. Eshman, her father and mother in-law, Roger and Elizabeth Swepston, her brother in-law, Donald Swepston, and her first husband Michael Spicer. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Greg Swepston (Marion); daughter and son in-law, Julie and Abel Rivas (Orlando, FL); sister, Phyllis (Mike) Thomas (Marion); sister, Patricia Eshman (Columbus); brother, Dennis (Jean) Eshman (Ft. Belvoir, VA); aunt, Ruth Ebersole (Marion); brother in-law, Barry Swepston (Columbus); niece, Kellie (Denny) Devers (Marion); nephew, Daniel Shields (Ontario, OH); nephew, Eamonn Eshman (Tempe, AZ); niece, Michele Thomas (Steve Messenger) Marion; great niece, Kaitlyn Shields (Marion); great niece, Brooke Monakey (Tampa, FL); and Luke, Lucy, Scooter and Ricky her loved cats. Family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at GUNDER/HALL & FOLK FUNERAL DIRECTORS located at 347 West Center Street, Marion, OH 43302. Funeral will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church located at 249 East Center Street, Marion, OH 43302 on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 10 a.m. with Rev. David Hoffman officiating. Burial to follow at Marion Cemetery. Immediately following burial there will be a "Celebration of Life" reception at All Occasions Catering located at 6989 Waldo-Delaware Road, Waldo, OH 43356 Phone (740) 726-2008. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gunderhallandfolk.com. Pall Bearers are: Daniel Shields, Butch Wolfe, Eamonn Eshman, Jesse Hines, Mike Thomas, Steve Messenger, Donny Laird, Mike Bodine, Dennis Eshman, Barry Swepston, John Bruno and Dick Brown. Honorary Pall Bearers are: Merry Lou Philips, Linda Foos, Judith Schmidt, Patty Carwile, Becky Dutton, Theresa Haverstock, Suzanne Cline, Rae Jean Andrews, Amy Caudill and Judy Halpin. Memorial contributions can be made to the "Janis Swepston Children's Literature Fund". Send contributions to: Marion City Schools Attn: Becky Gilliam at 420 Presidential Drive Suite B, Marion, OH 43302. This fund will provide children's literature to all Marion City Schools elementary school libraries. With style and elegance and awe inspiring taste, Janis Swepston wove her life around her family and her friends. She was beautiful and perpetually youthful as well as generous and caring. We love her and we will miss her.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Sep. 30 to Oct. 1, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Janis Swepston

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I am so sorry to hear about Jan. I knew her from the library, where she was always a delight to talk with. I looked for her whenever I came in and made sure I got to see her. She will be missed, and her family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Dania Hurley

October 7, 2013

I was so sadden to hear about Jan. I have so many great memories of her when we were friends and neighbors on Kensington in Marion where we grew up. I remember that I always looked up to her because she was so pretty and popular. I send my sympathies to Phyl, Jan's sister who was my best friend through adolescence and the rest of Jan's family. May she rest in peace and leave us all with cherished memories of a great lady! Mona (Akers) Cunningham

October 5, 2013

Coach Swep, My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Ralph McKinniss

October 4, 2013

Janis was a beautiful person inside and out...She was so gracious and kind to all of us...She will be missed by so many that loved her...She is now up in heaven with our family and watching over us...love you all.
Karen and Rick Berry

October 3, 2013

you will be missed by so many...Janis was a beautiful person.. so gracious...we are so sorry for all that loved her..
Karen and Rick Berry

October 3, 2013

I worked with Janis for a couple of years in the 1970s and I remember she would make me laugh and laugh. She made libraries real for me. I am sorry for your loss.

Andy White

October 2, 2013

Dear Swepston & Eshman Families, I am so sorry for your loss. Jan was one of the sweetest ladies that I have ever met and I will miss her smile.

Annelle Geissler Bushatz

October 2, 2013

Coach.My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of your sorrow.Take care old friend.

Bruce Burchette

October 2, 2013

Coach Swepston, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

Kevin and Margaret Coffey

October 2, 2013

Greg,Julie and Family. Wow! What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family as you guys go through these tough times. I hope that all the great memories you have made over the last 42 years carry you through these tough times.I absolutely adored Jan. She was such a sweetie.She was always so friendly and kind.She sure fit right in at all our family gatherings.I'm sure she never met a stranger. I always loved talking with her over a glass of wine and solving the problems of the world.She will be missed by all.Love, kisses and hugs to all of my Ohio family.

Love Always,
Your Cousin,
Jan

Jan Steiger Kuntz

October 2, 2013

I worked with Jan at the MPL for two years while I was a student at OSUM. She was an awesome, beautiful, classy lady. The world is a little dimmer without her presence to grace it. So very sorry for your loss.

Stephanie Ward-Hickey

October 2, 2013

Greg and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. I've known Jan since our days in high school. She was a special lady and I know she will be missed but never forgotten. You and your family are in my prayers. God Bless.

Michael Louck

October 2, 2013

Friends, I was so saddened to learn of your loss. She was a special lady and much loved. Sending prayers for comfort and peace.

Beth Short

October 2, 2013

To Greg, Julie, Phyllis, Dennis and Patti, we are so sorry to hear of Jan's passing and sending you heartfelt love and condolences in this difficult time. May it give you some solace to know that all of us who knew Jan, loved Jan. Sincerely, Linda Wisler and Andrew Starnes

October 1, 2013

Prayers Swep

Droop

October 1, 2013

To the sweptson family- I had the pleasure of working with Janis 13 years ago in the children's dept at the library and I absolutely adored working with her! She made a beautiful angel here on earth and now heaven has gained that beautiful angel. She will be sorely missed. I pray god gives you comfort during this difficult time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers??

Kathryn Imbody

October 1, 2013

Mr. Swepston, Although I never knew Janis, I know she meant the world to you. My thoughts are with you.

Joan Steven

October 1, 2013

Coach, Please accept my deepest sympathies on your loss of Janis.

Brad Gruber

October 1, 2013

GREG & FAMILY:
MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU DURING THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME.
WE SHARED MANY GOOD TIMES AT THE KROGER
STARBUCKS EARLY IN THE MORNING WHEN I
WOULD COME TO WORK.
I DELIVERED FLOWERS TO HER ONCE AT YOUR
HOME AND HAD THE BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY
TO MEET HER.
AND AS PAUL THE APOSTLE WRITES TO TIMOTHY:
SHE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, SHE FINISHED THE RACE AND SHE KEPT THE FAITH! AND NOW SHE HAS THAT CROWN OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH THE LORD HAS BESTOWED UPON HER.

AGAIN, MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH
ALL OF YOU.

KEITH PAUL BECKER
ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH AND KROGER
STORE 808, MARION, OHIO.

KEITH BECKER

October 1, 2013

greg...thoughts and prayers for you and thefamily...wow ...what a lady.
bob swift formerly of marion

bb swift

October 1, 2013

Coach Swepston,
I was sorry to hear the sad news.

Jeff Day

October 1, 2013

Greg & Family:
We're so sorry for your loss. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Vera Bury and family

Vera Bury

October 1, 2013

Coach, I am sorry for your loss, you are in my prayers.

Neil Shaffer

October 1, 2013

So sorry to hear of this. You are in my prayers Greg.

Matt Bayles

October 1, 2013

Greg: Sorry to hear of your loss. Both Rosalie Remember her with good feelings. Regards to Julie. Rosalie and Dave Miller

David L. Miller

October 1, 2013

I was so very sorry to hear about Jan. I had the good fortune to work with her at the Marion library for nearly eight years. She really was a genuine lady with exquisite style, an appreciation for the arts, and a smile for everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her. My deepest sympathy to her family.

Judy Ireland

October 1, 2013

Coach Swepston,
We are sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Amy Schaadt-Pirnstill

October 1, 2013

Coach Swep. I am so sorry to hear of Janis' passing. I know she was blessed to have a great man in her life and how loved and cared for she was in the 42 years. I have always known not only were you a great coach, teacher, and friend but a wonderful family man. Coach my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Bruce Creasap

October 1, 2013

So very sorry for your loss.
Carol & Steve Laird

October 1, 2013

Coach, so sorry to hear of this news. Mom and Janis always shared a quiet laugh about how they were always the only ones to spell their mutual first names right. You will be in Cindy and I's thoughts.

Gregory Your

October 1, 2013

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