Mr. Gerald Lynn Swihart, 58, of Morris passed away Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010, at Morris Hospital with his loving family at his side after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
Born April 24, 1952, in Salina, Kansas, Gerald was the son of the late L. Clinton Swihart and Cora (Miller) Swihart.
Gerald was active in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Salina High School with the Class of 1970. He received his bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from Kansas State University in December 1974.
He married Sharon Emily Stankis on Aug. 18, 1973, in Portland, Maine.
Gerald and Sharon moved to Morris in January 1975 when Gerald was hired by ComEd (now Exelon). Through his 29 years at La Salle County Station, he served in a variety of positions including quality assurance, tech staff supervisor, shift control room engineer, regulatory assurance and electrical engineering department.
Gerald was an active member of the First Christian Church of Morris for 35 years, serving as a deacon, elder, youth worker, choir member, ministry team leader and Sunday School teacher.
He was an active volunteer in the community with Mobile Meals, the Grundy County Nursing Home, Red Cross Disaster Team, Boy Scouts and as a blood donor.
Survivors include his loving wife of 37 years, Sharon; his three children, David (Elizabeth) Swihart of Springfield, Ill., Elizabeth (T.J.) D'Orazio of Oswego, Ill., and Daniel Swihart of Lincoln, Ill.; and one granddaughter, Ellise. He is also survived by one brother, Ron (Netta) Swihart of Witchita, Kansas; one sister, Nancy (Tim) Benson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; one sister-in-law, Wanda Swihart of Pelham, Ala.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Don; and a sister in infancy.
Gerald was a faithful husband, a dedicated father and a proud grandfather. He was a devoted Exelon employee, filled with generosity and most importantly a faithful, obedient believer in Jesus Christ. His presence will be missed by his family, his church and his community.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, at First Christian Church, 455 W. Southmor Road, Morris.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 2010, at the church. Dr. Charles Richardson will officiate.
Interment will follow at Sample Cemetery.
Memorial gifts can be directed to First Christian Church Missions, ALS Association or Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice.
Online condolences can be extended at www.ucdavisandsons.com.
U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call (815) 942-0084.