Joseph "Joe" Schweiger...Age 79

IN STATE AFTER 1PM TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014

ROSARY PRAYERS: 6PM TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 AT THE EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME with VISITATION TO FOLLOW UNTIL 8:30 PM

SERVICES: 10 AM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2014 ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH.

BURIAL: HOLY CROSS CEMETERY, PAOLA, KANSAS

MEMORIALS: ST. PHILIP NERI CHURCH BUILDING FUND

Memorials may be sent in care of Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home P.O. Box 430 Osawatomie, KS 66064

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Joesph “Joe” Schweiger age 79, of rural Osawatomie, Kansas died Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at his home.

Joe was born December 4, 1934 in Lenexa, Kansas. He was the oldest of ten children born to Clarence Maximillian and Theresa Catherine (Renner) Schweiger.

Joe grew up in the Lenexa area and attended school there. He graduated from St. Agnes (Bishop Miege High School) in the class of 1952.

On September 20, 1957 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in active duty until August 5, 1962 at which time he was in the Army Reserves until September 19, 1963. During his time in the Army he was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, Fort Sheridan, Illinois and served overseas in Germany.

Joe married Barbara Ann Yurchak on May 4, 1963 at St. Cyril Church in Kansas City, Kansas. They became the parents of seven children. The couple made their home in Lenexa for nine years. They moved to rural Osawatomie in 1972 where they raised their family. Joe and Barbara celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past May.

Joe was a farmer all of his life working his own land. Also, he was a fireman in Lenexa for several years, so when he moved to rural Franklin County becoming a member of the volunteer fire department was just a part of who he was. He was proud to serve his community and served as a long time Fire Chief of Cutler Township VFD (Rantoul). Joe also worked on the road crew for Franklin County for about fifteen years. He was a man who was always busy. He was known to say “Can’t” was not a part of his vocabulary.

He enjoyed recycling things, making something old into something new. He made many varieties of yard art from recycling. Joe attended craft and art shows in the area, displaying and selling his yard art. He also was an antique tractor enthusiast. He was in tractor shows for several years. Showing his collection of antique tractors, one of his favorites is his 1935 Allis Chalmers W.C.


He was a member of the St. Philip Neri Church in Osawatomie, Kansas, a member of the Power of the Past (antique tractor organization), member of the Ruritan Club of Lane, Kansas, and the Kansas Firefighters Association. Joe also served on the Central Heights School Board and the Lane, Kansas Fair Board.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, one infant son on March 24, 1972, two sisters: Helen Eckerberg and Barbara Eckerberg and one brother Carl Schweiger.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of the home, five sons: Christopher (Pamela) Schweiger of Blythe, GA, Steven (Janice) Schweiger of Gresham, OR, Joseph (Jinny) Schweiger of Rantoul, KS, Damon (Rachele) Schweiger of Tucson, AZ, Gregory (Aly) Schweiger of Knoxville, TN and one daughter Angela (Doug) Farrell of Pomona, KS. Eight grandchildren: Brett, Ethan, Tyler, Dylan, Alyssa, Fern Schweiger, Melissa and Kyle Evans. Three brothers: Thomas Schweiger of Gravois Mills, MO, Clarence Schweiger of Basehor, KS, Bernard Schweiger of Olathe, KS, three sisters: Dorothy McClain of Osawatomie, KS, Joan Norman of Overland Park, KS and Mary Rice of Wellsville, KS and many other family and friends.