Philip Ben SWEERS

SWEERS, HALL, FABER, HOLTEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/23/2008 at 09:49:49

August 14, 2007

Philip Sweers, 57, of Britt, died on Saturday, July 7, 2007, at the St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, with his family gathered around him praying the Lord's Prayer. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 11, at the Britt United Methodist Church, with Pastor Robert Dodge officiating. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt.

Philip Ben Sweers, the son of Ben and Mary Rose Hall Sweers, was born on February 17, 1950 in Forest City. Phil was baptized and confirmed in the Britt Methodist Church. He attended the Britt Community Schools and graduated from the Britt High School with the class of 1968. Following high school, Phil attended Iowa State University, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Farm Operations and a minor in Agronomy and Animal Science.

Phil Sweers and Robin Faber were married on July 14, 1973 in Clearwater, Florida. The couple made their home on a farm near Kanawha, where Phil farmed for 28 years. He served as a substitute rural mail carrier. He worked at the Garner-Hayfield Community School. In 2002, the family moved to Britt. Phil was employed with the West Hancock Community School District as a custodian for the Kanawha school site. He was a member of the Britt United Methodist Church. Throughout the years he has served as chair and member of the board of trustees. Phil was also chair and member of the administrative council. He was a Sunday School and confirmation teacher, youth leader, a member of the bell and vocal choirs, nursery coordinator and lay speaker. He also was elected as a member of the Agricultural and Review Board, a 4-H Leader for 25 years and past member of the Hancock County Extension Council. Phil's greatest joy in life was being able to help and provide for everyone around him. Whether it be the kids in school, his family on the farm, or Robin and Kevin at home. Phil showed his care and love for other every second of his life. Phil worked hard, and those who loved him take comfort that his long shift is over now. God called Phil back to His perfect home. Phil has time to rest now.

Phil is survived by his wife, Robin, of Britt; son, Kevin of Mason City; parents, Ben and Mary Rose Sweers of Britt; two sisters, Becky (Ron) Holten of Mitchell, South Dakota and Janice Sweers of Britt; brothers, Charles (Sharon) Sweers of Lake Mills, Fred (Renee) Sweers of Moville and Jim (Julie) Sweers of Kanawha; ten nieces and nephews; two great-nieces; and one great-nephew; and by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Lela Hall; paternal grandparents, John and Sena Sweers; and twin nieces, Stacy and Stephanie Holten.

© 2007 Forest City Summit