Family, friends, and leaders gather to remember late Missouri Auditor

Several state leaders gathered Tuesday in Clayton to remember late Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich.

Funeral services got underway at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael and St. George Episcopal Church, where Schweich was a member.

Governor Jay Nixon, Attorney General Chris Koster, Senator Claire McCaskill, and many state lawmakers were in attendance.

Hundreds attended the service, filling up an overflow area.

Former State Senator John Danforth delivered Schweich’s eulogy, saying Schweich was an exceptionally able public servant.

Danforth told Schweich’s two children to always be proud of their father.

He also said he spoke to Schweich last week, and Schweich was upset about a radio commercial making fun of his appearance and also a whispering campaign saying Schweich was Jewish.

Danforth said Schweich was very upset about the anti-Semitism sentiment of the campaign.

Danforth said Schweich’s death is the natural consequence of what politics has become.

Schweich was a Republican running to become governor in 2016. Despite the rumors, Schweich was not Jewish.

ABC 17 News talked to Schweich’s press secretary, Spence Jackson.

He demanded the resignation of the Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party.

John Hancock has already denied responsibility for the accusations.

“He was deeply offended by this anti-semitic whisper campaign that was being leveled against him. It’s tragic, it’s unfortunate what he did, but something good has to come of this and it can start by John Hancock resigning his effective immediately as the chairman of the Republican party,” said Jackson.

ABC 17 News reached out to Missouri GOP Executive Director Jonathon Prouty regarding Hancock for a comment.

Prouty said, “Today is not an appropriate time to engage in political back-and-forth. Out of respect for Tom and his family, we have nothing to add at this time.”

Schweich leaves behind his wife and two children.