James Monroe Schwermer

James Monroe Schwermer, age 72, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at his home in Stover, Missouri.
He was born October 8, 1935, in Sedalia, Missouri a son of William F. and Virginia May Lehman Schwermer. On January 10, 1956, in lake Arrowhead, California, he married Willa Whitney and she survives at their home.
He grew up in Sedalia and attended Smith Cotton High School. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 21, 1953. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, where he received a Purple Heart. He retired on October 1, 1978, as a MG Sgt.
He was stationed in El Toro, California and in 1979, he and Willa made the Stover community their home. He worked for two years for Nurrie Construction at Whiteman Air Force Base.
He has been a volunteer fire fighter for the Stover Rural Fire District since 1988. He enjoyed fishing and starting plants from seedlings in his green house. He was an excellent wood worker. He also programmed computers as a hobby.
In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by two sons and one daughter, Jay Schwermer (Retired Commander) and his wife Patrice of Richmond, Virginia; Blake Schwermer and his wife Becky of Ojai, California and Debra Mayes and husband Rob of Stover; two brothers, Ted Schwermer of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Clyde Schwermer of Sedalia; also nine grandchildren, three great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Daneen (Diz) Schwermer, of Sedalia.
In keeping with his wishes he will be cremated. No services are planned at this time.
The family suggests memorial contributions be given to the Stover Rural Fire Protection District, 3532 Briarpatch Road, Stover, MO 65078.