Mary Elizabeth Sweetman

Services will take place at 2 p.m. June 28 at the First Baptist Church.

She worked in food services at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Survivors include one son, Richard of Centennial; two daughters, Leota McPeek and Betty Kay Schanz, both of Grand Junction; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church, 720 Grand Ave., Grand Junction 81501.

Mary Elizabeth Sweetman

January 4, 1927- June 16, 2017

Mary passed away peacefully in her sleep June 16, 2017 at Mantey Heights Care Center.

Mary was born January 4, 1927, in Molina, Colorado, to William & Mary Gilliland, along with three brothers, Dyton, Lawrence, and Allen; and two sisters, Eda and June. They preceded her in death. She grew up on a ranch on Lime Kiln Hill near Meeker and rode a horse to school. Mary graduated from Meeker High School. She worked in food service for 25 years and retired from the Veteran’s Hospital staff in 1982. She cooked for the Grand Mesa Baptist youth camps for many years. Mary enjoyed walking, gardening, sewing, and made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. Mary was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for 64 years.

Mary married Richard Sweetman June 21, 1947, and had three children: Richard Sweetman II, Centennial, CO; Leota Sweetman-McPeek, Grand Junction; and Betty (Brian) Schanz, Grand Junction. Mary has three grandchildren: Carly Sweetman, Denver, CO; Elizabeth Miller, Santa Fe, NM; and Andrew Schanz, Grand Junction, CO; and one great- granddaughter, Charlie Ann Sweetman.

Graveside service for the family will be 10:00 a.m. June 28 at Rosehill Cemetery, Rifle, CO. The memorial service will be on June 28 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 720 Grand Avenue, Grand Junction.

Memorial contributions to First Baptist Church-Grand Junction or Grand Mesa Baptist Assembly through First Baptist Church.