Obituary of L. Jean Schwertfeger

L. Jean (Grems) Schwertfeger, 79, of Floyd, passed away with her loving family by her side on March 11, 2015. Jean was born on October 19, 1935 in Rome to the late Ralph and Mary Reba (Griffiths) Grems. She was raised in Floyd, graduating from Holland Patent Central Schools. On October 23, 1954, she was united in marriage to Herman J. Schwertfeger at the St. Francis DeSales Church of Utica, NY. They were blessed to spend 60 years together, having three children, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. She worked as a secretary at Griffiss Air Force Base before venturing into business with Herman in 1968, starting U.A.P. Engine Rebuilders, Inc. on Lafayette Street in Utica. Working and retiring together in 1998, Herman and Jean then spent the past sixteen winters in their Naples, FL home. Jean was a loving and caring wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother. She truly enjoyed preparing weekly Sunday night dinners for her family. She spent free time knitting, crocheting, quilting, and donating many baby items to the Carewear Foundation and different hospitals. Jean was always eager to give and help others in need. Jean is survived by her husband of 60 years, Herman; two daughters and son in law, Debra and Joe Vanderwood, of Zephyrhills, FL, and Sharon Canfield of Floyd; a son Daniel and Bethany Schwertfeger, of Floyd; grandchildren, Dustin and Kevin (Julianne) Vanderwood, Renee (Steve) Morrison and Heather (Jake) Bates, and Ashleigh (Brian) Sandler and Michael Canfield; a sister Mary Rita Grems, Floyd, two brothers, Keith (Donna) Grems, Floyd, and Wayne (Carol) Grems, Henrietta, NY. She was predeceased by a sister Carolyn Thrasher and a nephew, Paulie Ulmer. Funeral service will be held on Sunday at 5 PM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Burial will be in Townsend Cemetery in the spring. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 5 PM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider the Floyd Volunteer Fire Department or the Believe 271 Foundation at P.O. Box 480, 8530 Old Poland Road, Barneveld, NY 13304. Please offer online condolences or light a candle at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.