Martha Jean (Rentchler) Simpson Swann, age 97 passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Ignite Medical Resort in Blue Springs, Missouri.
Martha Jean was born on March 31, 1927, in Clinton, Missouri to Phil and Mary (Meier Otto) Rentchler. Was raised in Clinton, Missouri and was in the graduating class of 1945. After high school she went on to Washington DC working with the Internal Revenue Service. In 1946 she returned to Kansas City and married Donald Lee Simpson. From that marriage two children were born, James Lee and Phyllis Ann. In 1960 she started working for the Milgram Food Stores of Kansas City and later retired in 1982 after 22 years of service. In 1978 she married Ernest Swann of Independence.
Martha Jean was a lifetime member of the Henry County Historical Society, State of Missouri Historical Society, Missouri State of Genealogical Society, and a lifetime member of the Clinton VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 1894. She served on the Henry County Historical Board, volunteered at the Museum Library, published the Englewood Cemetery Book, and was a member of the Quilters Guild. Other hobbies included reading and sewing.
Preceding her in death were her brother John Phillip Rentchler (1973) her husband Donald Lee Simpson (1975), her mother Mary Rentchler (1982) and husband Ernest Swann (2013).
Survivors include her sister Barbara Hollis of Woodbridge, Virginia, her son James and Alice Simpson of Springfield, Missouri, her daughter Phyllis and Jim Jackson of Lone Jack, Missouri, one stepdaughter Joy and Mike Quaite of Colorado, her grandchildren, Danny and Chany Jackson of Oak Grove, Missouri, Christina Prier of Grain Valley, Missouri, Jennifer and Talon Wilder of Ava, Missouri, John and Jody Boydston of Colorado, Jeanette Klausmeir of Colorado, her great grandchildren, Daniel Lee, Gavin, Grant, and Garrett Jackson, Jordan and Megan Prier, Emily Wilder, Kylie (Dalton) Green, Hannah (Joseph) Scarborough, and Makayla (Larry) Dodson, and step great grandchild Laith Klausmeir, two great-great grandsons Jedidiah Scarborough, Benjamin Dodson.
Funeral services were held June 15, 2024 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Rev. David Mills officiating. The casket bearers were Talon Wilder, Danny Jackson, Larry Dodson and Jordan Prier. Musical selections included “Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Lord’s Prayer and Peace In the Valley.” Interment followed in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, MO.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
