Gail Lorraine Swope
Gail Lorraine Swope
Gail Swope of Okawville, IL passed away on February 8, 2025 due to pneumonia complications. She
was born in St. Louis, MO on February 22, 1935, the third of seven children of Philip and Evelyn Ziebol
(Maize). She made Okawville her home for 52 years.
Primarily a homemaker and proud mother of seven children, Gail worked as a custodian for West
Washington County Unit District 10 for nearly 2 decades and cleaned the Okawville Methodist Church for
many years. She was a paper carrier for over a decade, focusing on customer service. A book lover, she
volunteered many years at the Okawville Reading Room at the Village Hall, the predecessor of the
Okawville Library.
She was a passionate reader all her life, and enjoyed learning about history, nature and animals. She
loved wildlife and animals of all kinds, especially cats. She participated in living history reenactments for
nearly 40 years, including the annual Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres State Historical Site in Prairie du
Rocher, IL and the 2003-2006 Bicentennial commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition with the
Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, MO, attending events from Clarksville, IN to the Oregon Coast. A
self-taught seamstress, she made period clothing she and family members wore to these events. She
was an avid fan of the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals, musical theater, Celtic Thunder, the Trans-
Siberian Orchestra and St. Louis’ own Circus Flora.
Gail was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother. She
enjoyed gathering with family and was dearly loved by her children and grandchildren. Her daughter,
Joanne was her caregiver, constant companion and partner in crime the last several years.
She is survived by her sons; Gregory (Barb) Swope of Fults, IL and David (Lori) Swope of Belleville, IL,
daughters; Lois (Donald) Picard of Ballwin, MO, Maureen (Martin) Florczyk of Trenton, IL and Joanne
Meehan of St. Louis, MO; brother Philip (Marcia) Ziebol; grandchildren Kristine Holst, Stephan Frazee,
John (Kayce) Frazee, Michael (Michelle) Hufendick, Brandy Hufendick and Laura (David) Hermann,
Richard (Kelley) Swope, Rebecca (Corey) Brewer, Kathryn (TJ) Guethle;, and special niece Julie
Parkinson. Also surviving are her 22 Great-Grandchildren, 2 Great-Great Grandchildren, many nieces,
nephews and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Philip F. Ziebol and Evelyn A. Ziebol; husband Richard H.
Swope, daughter Cynthia Frazee; son John Swope; sisters Lois Parkinson, Nadine Bacott and Judy
Boeser and brothers James Ziebol and Paul Ziebol.
In honor of her wishes, Gail was accepted to the Washington University School of Medicine donor
program to further medical and scientific study and improve human health.
A Celebration of her Life will be held at St. Barbara Parish Hall at 305 N. Front Street, Okawville, IL 62271
on Saturday March 8, 2025. Visitation will be held from 11:00-12:00, a short memorial service will begin
at 12:00, followed by lunch and refreshments. Friends are further welcome to call until 4:00.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Gail’s memory to the Okawville Senior Center.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.leesmanfuneralhome.com.
