Gerald L Swanson

PEKIN-Gerald LeRoy Swanson, 72, of 1503 S. Third St., passed away 12:50 p.m. Friday, April  16, 2010 at Pekin hospital.Born September 18, 1937 in Lowpoint to Robert and Frances (Laurence) Swanson, he married Judith Hampton on November 16, 1958 in Tremont.  She survives.Also surviving are one daughter, Rebekah ”Becky” (David) Driggers of Tremont; three sons, Dennis (Becky) Swanson of Jacksonville, North Carolina, Randolph ”Scott” (Ann Dee) Swanson of Frisco, Texas, and Daniel Swanson of Pekin; seven grandchildren, Kimberly Swanson, Jessica Swanson, Thomas Driggers, Heather Swanson, David ”Junior” Driggers, III, Kaleb Swanson and Ryan Swanson; and three sisters, Joyce(Phillip) Haley, Vickey Behn, both of Peoria and Bonnie Swanson of Chillicothe. Jerry was raised on a farm in Chillicothe, where he lived until 1955. He then moved to Groveland to start his career at Caterpillar.Jerry worked in management for Caterpillar in E. Peoria for 30 years, retiring in 1989.He served in the U.S. Army National Guard for 8 years. Jerry attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo. where he graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Pekin for the past 47 years. Jerry taught Sunday school for years, was the chairman of Deacons, and helped start Faith Baptist School in 1976 where he was also on the School Board.He was instrumental in starting a church in West Des Moines in 1973. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Faith Baptist Church in Pekin. Pastor Timothy Collard will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Army and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.  Arrangements were entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory.Memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church or to the Faith Bapist Christian School  both at 1501 Howard Court, Pekin, Il. 61554.