Barbara Ione (Shelton) Sweger

July 1, 1928 – August 11, 2023

Barbara Sweger was called home by our heavenly father on August 11, 2023. She is now free from the ravages of dementia and other frailties of this world.

Born on July 1, 1928, she was the daughter of James Roy and Clara Darmer Shelton. The eldest of 5 siblings, she grew up a farm girl in Noble County where she attended one-room schools. She graduated from Perry High School and went on to pursue a teaching certificate at Oklahoma A & M, now Oklahoma State University, during World War II.

She met and married Warren Franklin (Frank) Sweger in 1948. They had four children. She was a partner with Frank for many years in Christian ministries in small churches, jails and prisons.

She was an accomplished artist who loved to paint in her spare time.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Madeline, and Verna Lee Swart, husband Frank and granddaughter Joanna Boyer.

She is survived by two brothers, Leonard Shelton and wife Anna of Perry and Ralph Shelton of Perkins. She is also survived by her four children, Bill and wife Pam of Perkins, Candi Strickland and husband Tom of Alabama, Bonnie Boyer of Stillwater, and Boyd and wife Joy of California. From these children she has 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Mom and Dad also sponsored, fostered and adopted many, with some remaining close to the family, including Joseph Pham (Hai) of California.

Her family will gather privately for interment at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry. A celebration of her life with be held at her church, First Baptist in Stillwater, later in September. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Karman Legacy Hospice.