John Alphonse Schweers

John Alphonse Schweers, 72, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on March 19, 2022. A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny, IA, from 4 until 7:00 PM. A service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2022, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart at 10:00 AM with burial following at St. John the Baptist’s Catholic Cemetery in Arcadia, IA.

John was born to Gregory and Arlene (Pille) Schweers on May 21, 1949, in Carroll, IA. He spent his childhood growing up on the family farm in Arcadia, IA, which helped him develop a hard work ethic, a love of nature and the environment, and an appreciation for the love of family. After graduating from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1967, John attended Iowa State University for a time before enlisting in the United States Army where he served as a Sergeant and completed a tour in Vietnam. Upon his honorable discharge, he met the love of his life, Kathleen (Kathy) Bradley, and the two of them were united in marriage on June 1, 1973, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Rockwell City, IA. John returned to Iowa State where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration in 1974. He worked for many years in the banking industry, specializing in mortgage lending before changing career paths, serving as Office Manager for Associated Benefits Corp. in West Des Moines. John and Kathy became parents of three children, Ryan, Allison, and Audrey, whom they loved dearly.

John touched many lives throughout his lifetime, truly living a life of service to others. He was known as a good listener, as someone always willing to help, and as a kind-hearted, intelligent man with a great sense of humor. He will be remembered for his love of being a Scoutmaster for Troop 182 for many years, and for his dedication as a volunteer at the local VA hospital. John will also be remembered for being a conservationist. He was known for maintaining the quarter mile portion of Ankeny’s High Trestle Bike Trail behind his home by pulling weeds, planting milkweed and other wildflowers to attract butterflies, and picking up litter daily along his 4 mile walking route. He believed in leaving the world better than he found it, and he most certainly accomplished that in his lifetime. John also loved traveling, cheering for the Drake women’s basketball team, studying and learning everything he could about world history and science, being a member of his local VFW, and spending time visiting his family, grandchildren, and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Schweers, and by his parents.

John is survived by his children, Ryan (Jenny) Schweers of San Antonio, TX, Allison (Michael) Klein Jr. of Ankeny, IA, and Audrey (Shawn) Echelberry of Hedrick, IA; grandchildren, Benjamin, Logan, and Owen Schweers, Oliver and Evan Klein, Alex Thole, and Ethen, Izaak, and Arrik Echelberry; and siblings, Mark (Virginia) Schweers Sr. of Des Moines, IA, Mary Jo (Rodney) Whittle of Surprise, AZ, Joe (Marcia) Schweers of Phoenix, AZ, and Margaret (Jim) Palma of Surprise, AZ.

Memorial contributions for John Schweers can be addressed to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or be directed to the family to be disbursed to other local organizations at a later time.