John A. Swezey, 87, of rural Arcadia, Kansas, died at 4:58 p.m. Monday, February 26, 2024, at Arma Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arma, Kansas.
Mr. Swezey was born February 23, 1937, in rural Arcadia, Kansas, the son of James Sr. and Nova Jones Swezey. John was a retired coal miner and horse breeder who was a lifelong Arcadia area resident. He was raised in Arcadia and graduated from Arcadia High School in the Class of 1955. He worked for Santa Fe Railroad, McNally's, and retired from Mackie Clemens Coal after 28 years of service in 1998. He was also a farmer and horseman.
He married Jo Ellen Elliott in 1958. They later divorced. He later married Susie Miller on July 3, 1999, in Arma. She survives at the home.
He was baptized as a child at Drywood Creek and was reaffirmed in 1970 in Arcadia by Dr. Mack Evans of Joplin, Missouri. He was a member of the United Mine Workers of America and the Persian Horse Association.
Survivors include his wife Susie of the home; four children, John A. (Diana) Swezey Jr. of Drexel, Missouri, Jennifer Ritz of Ozark, Missouri, Jamey (Colette) Swezey of rural Arcadia, and Jeanna (Clay) Jones of Scammon; a step-daughter, Melanie (Wayne) Jefferis of Valrico, Florida; two brothers, Bill Swezey of Mulberry and Walter Swezey of Oronogo, Missouri; twelve grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Sammy Jo Jones; two sisters, Louetta Schwatken and Ernestine Murray; and two brothers, Charles Swezey, who died as an infant, and James Swezey Jr.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Bedene Funeral Home at Arma, Kansas, with Pastor Don Talent officiating. Burial will be at the Sheffield Cemetery near Arcadia, Kansas. Friends may call 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Bedene Chapel. There will be no formal visitation on Friday. The family suggests memorials to the Open Door Mission Church in Arcadia. Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.
