Our History
Russell Schweke started R&S Floral in 1959 while running three dry goods stores. The concept for R&S Memorial arose when Mr. Schweke believed he could make Easter baskets and Memorial Day arrangements to sell in his stores at a lower price than he could buy them pre-made. He rented a 1,100 square foot building at St. Louis and Glenstone streets and delivered his arrangements on a daily basis.
In 1963, Mr. Schweke bought Graystone Heights Cabins on Historic Route 66. These buildings have recently been named Greene County Historic Landmarks.
Mr. Schweke’s son, John, started working for his father as soon as he was old enough to drive. After Mr. Schweke retired in 2007, John took over operations of R&S Memorial and focused the business solely on Memorial Day decorations and funeral arrangements.
Today, John & Alexa Schweke operate R&S Memorial out of a 19,000 square foot warehouse. It is about 7 miles west of I-44 and West Chestnut in Springfield on the Historic Route 66 site. The warehouse functions year round and is fully stocked with floral arrangements for retail or wholesale purchase, and as storage for delivery to the Memorial Day stores. The Schweke’s operate 12-15 seasonal stores throughout communities in Southwest Missouri, Northwest Arkansas and Southeast Kansas.
R&S Memorial Decorations is proud to serve their customers and communities year after year and strives to create beautiful arrangements and long-lasting traditions.
