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 & 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 & 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 4-8:00 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.
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