Richard Sweenie

Richard ?Bruce? Sweenie, one of three children of James ?Jim? Sweenie and Edith ?Belle? Erisman, was born September 17, 1927 in Springfield, Nebraska. Bruce attended Champion school through the eighth grade, and then graduated from Nemaha High School. After graduation he served in the United States Army for two years during the end of WWII. Upon his honorable discharge he attended the University of Nebraska for one year. Then Bruce returned to Nemaha to serve as the Post Office clerk for four years. While working as clerk he completed a B.A. degree at Peru State College. Bruce went on to become the Postmaster of Nemaha, putting in 49 years of government service before retiring in 1997.

Bruce served as a lay minister and member of the Nemaha United Methodist Church where he was very active. He was also very active in the Nemaha community, serving 17 years on the village board, including time as secretary and 8 years as board chairman. Bruce also served on the Nemaha Cemetery Board, and the Nemaha County Hospital board, and participated in many civic improvements for the village of Nemaha.

Due to failing health, Bruce was admitted into the Ambassador in Nebraska City, June 7, 2010 where he passed away on June 21, 2010 having reached the age of 82 years, 9 months, and 4 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Donna Petring, and brother Jim Sweenie.

Bruce is survived by his nieces Marta Drummond of Littleton, CO; Amy McAninch and husband Mike of Lakewood, CO; Jann Sweenie and husband Luciano Cortes of Berkeley, CA; Lisa Briggs and husband Jim of Moberly, MO; Sara Sweenie of Rochester, NY; cousins Glade and LaVerne Goings of Auburn; Bob and Barbara Teten of Auburn; Ann and Pete Kelleher of Omaha; Connie Begers of Ojai, CA; Betty Henshaw of Cincinnati, OH; Mac and Vicki Erisman of Auburn; other relatives and many friends.