Eldon E. "Gene" Sweeney

Eldon Eugene (Gene) Sweeney died at Cottage in the Meadow, in Yakima, WA, on May 4, 2016, at the age of 80. Gene was born October 12, 1935 in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Clelia Eugenia (Bossetti) Sweeney and Paul Eldon Sweeney.

Gene graduated from Cloverpark High School in Lakewood, WA in 1953 and from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1956. Gene felt God’s leading to work with youth, and began his work with young people in Chicago in 1954. After graduation, Gene moved to Yakima to work with Tex Yearout in the Youth for Christ ministry. In 1958, Gene was asked to join the Greater Los Angeles Youth For Christ staff. He served many YFC and Campus Life clubs in the LA area.

While in California Gene was blessed with his first two children, Jennifer (1961) and Eldon Jr. (1966). In 1966, Gene was invited to return as YFC director in Yakima, WA. He worked in more than 23 different schools in the valley, and saw the YFC program develop into the Campus Life program. During this time his son Christopher (1969) was born. In 1974, he became the regional director over YFC programs in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana. After 31 years in Youth for Christ, Gene made a career change and began working for the Yakima School District in the alternative school program. Gene worked there until his retirement in 2004. He was a member of Kamiakin Kiwanis for many years. In January 1988 Gene married Marie Lommers. He became part of the Lommers family and enjoyed lots of family outings and reunions. Gene and Marie enjoyed travelling and they travelled all over the U.S. He loved books, both reading and collecting them — a true bibliophile. His main interest, aside from Biblical study, was history. He was a member of Yakima Covenant Church. In recent years, Gene’s heart condition worsened, limiting his activities considerably.

He is survived by his wife, Marie, and his three children, Jennifer (Steve) Marshalek, Eldon (Becky) Sweeney, and Chris (Sarah) Sweeney; his brothers and sisters, James Sweeney, Mark (Janet) Sweeney, Kathy (Art) Kidd, Cherie (Rich) Strahm. His grandchildren are Josh (Nicole) Marshalak, Seth (Kearsten) Marshalak, Stevie Marie Sandoval, Chris Marshalak, Jacob Sweeney, and Wyatt Sweeney, and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Marie’s children, Pam (Chuck) Henager, Marilyn (Henry) Van Oostrum, and Linda (Larry) Hiemstra, and grandchildren, Samuel Henager, Sophia Henager, Adrian (Jessica) Van Oostrum, Analisa Van Oostrum, Marie Hiemstra, Philip (Ellen) Hiemstra, and Alice Hiemstra.

Viewing will be at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Thursday May 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The graveside services will be held on Friday May 13, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Reservation Community Memorial Park in Wapato followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m. at Yakima Covenant Church.

The family deeply appreciates the care given to Gene by Memorial Hospice, including Judy, Kathy, Yvette, and John Murphy, who became a dear friend to Gene. The family would also like to thank the staff at Cottage in the Meadow for the loving care they provided for Gene and our family.

Donations in memory of Gene Sweeney may be made to Cottage in the Meadow, Memorial Hospice and youth programs at Yakima Covenant Church.