Raymond Paul Schwent of Ste. Genevieve, MO (formerly of Saint Mary, MO) passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at the Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living Facility. He was 88.
Ray was married to the love of his life, Marilyn Rose Bader on August 22, 1959. She preceded him in death on January 19, 2020.
Ray loved to hunt and fish. He was Marilyn’s helper with her flower gardens and planted more vegetables than they knew what to do with. He could fix almost anything with a hammer and nail or a welder and torch. Ray had a lifelong love of auto racing and in his younger days was a mechanic for his brother-in-law Francis (Sonny) Bader’s stock car. He loved country music and old westerns but the biggest joy in his life was his family. He loved spending time with all of them but especially with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ray worked at the Mississippi Lime Company as a maintenance mechanic until he retired in 2003. After his retirement he spent some of his time working at the Ste. Genevieve Recycling Center, working with Marilyn in the garden, and visiting his grandchildren. He was a Volunteer Firefighter in St. Mary for 48 years. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and was a member of American Legion Post 150. He was a very active member of his church, the Immaculate Conception Parish, in Saint Mary, serving as an usher, organizing and volunteering at the Chicken and Dumpling Dinners, and helping out in any way he could with the Parish’s many needs. When the Parish closed he and Marilyn joined the Saint Genevieve Catholic Church.
Ray is survived by his son Dale (Penny Bohnert) Schwent, his grandson Daniel (Emily Hoffman) Schwent, his granddaughters Amy (Kyle) Brady and Emily Rose Schwent, and his great granddaughters Madeline Brady, Eleanore Brady, Paige Brady, and Kara Schwent, Sisters Margie Wehmeyer and Delores Spraul, Sister-in-law Martha (Buatte) Schwent.
Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn (Bader) Schwent and son Mark E. Schwent. He was also preceded in death by his four sisters, Marie Armbruster, Bridget Griffard, Wilma Meyer, and Florence Meyer, and five brothers, Clarence Schwent, Wilfred Schwent, Louis Schwent, Edward Schwent, and Donald Schwent, by his father Edward Schwent and mother Mary (Braun) Schwent
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the two causes close to Ray’s heart; The Angelman Syndrome Foundation and The Alzheimer’s Association. Both have affected loved ones in Ray’s family.
Visitation will be at Basler Funeral Home in Sainte Genevieve, MO on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm and Friday, July 17, 2026 from 8:00 am till 9:45 am
Service will be at Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 10:00 am.
Burial will be at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Saint Mary, MO with full military honors performed by VFW Post 2210
Online condolences may be left at www.baslerfuneralhome.com