Eldon W. Swinney

Eldon Wilson Swinney, one of five children of Merritt S. and Hazel (Wilson) Swinney, was born July 17, 1928 at his parents’ home in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He attended Nebraska City Public Schools, where he graduated from high school.

On August 6, 1948 Eldon was united in marriage to Donna Rae Potter at the First Christian Church in Nebraska City. They made their home in Nebraska City until 1963, when they moved to Auburn, Nebraska. Eldon and Donna were blessed with three children: David, Ginger, and Melissa.

Eldon was a member of the Nebraska National Guard while he lived in Nebraska City. He served for 15 years, and left the Guard as a First Lieutenant.

As a hog buyer for Wilson and Company, Eldon made many friends within the farming community. He retired in 1989 after 30+ years with the company. After his retirement Eldon continued to work part-time at Farmer’s Co-op in Auburn and on outages at Cooper Nuclear Station in Brownville for a few years.

A member of First Christian Church while in Nebraska City, Eldon became a member of the Auburn Christian Church after moving to town. He was very involved in Auburn city government, serving on the city council for 12 years, the planning commission for five, and as mayor in 1988 and 1989. He had also belonged to the Masons, holding top offices, and the Auburn Country Club, where he served on the board and as president. Eldon liked to play basketball and softball in his younger years, and turned to golf later in life. He was a huge Husker fan, but enjoyed watching his grandchildren in their sporting endeavors even more.

Suffering from ill health for almost four years, Eldon became a patient of Tabitha Hospice in April of 2013. With hospice help and the care of his family, he was able to stay at home except for the occasional hospital stay. He passed away at home in Auburn, with family around him, on Saturday, October 25, 2014 at the age of 86 years, 3 months, and 8 days. His son David, parents, sister Margaret Swinney, and brother and sisters-in-law Robert and Mary Swinney and Marlene Swinney preceded him in death.

Those left to remember his loving ways include his wife Donna of Auburn; daughters and sons-in-law Ginger and Harry Bridgmon of Auburn; Melissa and Scott Gerdes of Gretna; grandchildren Angela Bridgmon (Johnny Curttright) of Auburn; Nathan (Samantha) Bridgmon of Plattsmouth; Paige, Tyson, and Abby Gerdes of Gretna; great-grandchildren Carlee and Chloe Curttright and Reid Bridgmon; brothers Sterling (Polly) Swinney of Corpus Christi, TX; Merritt Swinney, Jr. of Sumpter, SC; sister-in-law Betty McDonnell of Aurora, CO; other relatives and friends.