SWEARINGEN, Cletus D. (1940-2017)

SWEARINGEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 1/28/2019 at 23:49:50

Cletus Daniel Swearingen
(August 17, 1940 - November 18, 2017)

Services for Cletus Swearingen, 77, who passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017, will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 22 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Cletus Daniel, son of Harvey & Rose Swearingen, was born on August 17, 1940, in Brashear, Missouri. He grew up on the family farm outside of Brashear and graduated from Brashear High School in 1957.
On February 15, 1964, Cletus was united in marriage with Janet Louise Westerly in New Virginia, Iowa. Three children were born into this union. They made their home in Indianola where they started their family. Cletus worked at Herschel Manufacturing in Indianola, IA and then in 1981 he started working for Hiland Potato Chip Company in Des Moines, IA where he worked for 17 years until they closed the plant. He then took a detailing position at Noble Ford in Indianola, Iowa where he worked until he retired. He was very meticulous when it came to detailing and his sheds and tools at home were always well organized and neat. Cletus always told his sons, “Work Hard and Give Your Best.” He encouraged them to be thankful of what they already have and not complain about the things they didn’t. Cletus lived a simple life that revolved around the love he had for his wife Janet. In fact, one can almost say that after losing his beloved in May of this year, he died of a broken heart that longed to see her again.
Cletus loved NASCAR almost as much as he loved his wife. He was an avid NASCAR collector always in search for his next toy car. He and his wife both enjoyed cheering on their favorite drivers and never missed a chance to be part of their son David’s pit crew or cheering section when he raced hobby stocks. Cletus’ love for NASCAR was something he shared with everyone he knew and enjoyed telling about the time he & Janet spent touring the speedways, especially the time they got to meet Dale Earnhardt’s mother in North Carolina by chance. It was a trip he spoke about with a twinkle in his eye. Cletus could sit and talk with anyone; he was a friendly soul who treated everyone with kindness. Cletus enjoyed working in his yard and mowing and was often willing to lend a hand to his neighbors. Cletus spoke fondly of how lucky he was to live in such a wonderful neighborhood with neighbors who were more than just friends, but extended family to him and Janet for the last 40 plus years. Cletus also enjoyed taking walks around the block or spending time sitting on the front porch. And, he and Janet enjoyed taking motorcycle rides in the evenings. He would often tease the grandkids about getting to ride his motorcycle with Grandma!
Cletus is survived by his two sons: Daniel and wife Christina Swearingen of Des Moines, Iowa and David and wife Beth Swearingen of Manilla, Iowa; 4 grandchildren: Taylor Smith and husband Grant, Samantha Swearingen, Brody Swearingen & Brandon Swearingen; sister Rosemary Marsh and husband Harold D. of Channahon, IL; brother-in-law Larry Westerly of Grimes, Iowa, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held two hours prior to services from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to the Indianola Community Church. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/