Gerald Swesey, 80, died Friday, December 28, 2012 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.

 He was born May 24, 1932 in Coventry Township, Ohio to Vernon Earl and Alta (Connely) Swesey.

 Gerald received his Master’s Degree from Grace Theological Seminary.

 On September 22, 1952 he was married to Hazel Lou Cox. 

 From 1958 to 1962 he served as Pastor of Talma Bible Church in Rochester, Indiana.  In 1962 he was called to Alliance, NE to start the Alliance Berean Church. 

His wife Hazel passed away in 1980.  On February 14, 1982 he was united in marriage to Judy Darlene Schnell in Alliance.  He continued his ministry here until moving to Imperial, NE where he served as pastor at the Imperial Berean Church until 2000 when he retired and they moved back to Alliance.

He is survived by his wife, Judy, his children, Lynn Ranfeld of Kalamazoo, MI, Dan Swesey of Denver, CO, Mark Swesey of Maxwell, Vernon of Grant and Amy Kinsey of Fort Collins, CO.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, and his sisters, Jeanne Miller of Ohio and Lora Ann Kincaid of Texas.

 In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.

 Funeral services will be Friday, January 4, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Alliance Berean Church with Pastor Giles Armstrong and Pastor Glenn Johnson officiating.  Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday from 1-7 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home.

 Memorials may be sent in care of Bates-Gould Funeral Home, P.O. Box 574, Alliance, NE  69301 for a future designation.

 Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.