Burdette R Sweley

May 23, 1942 - November 11, 2020

Burdette R. Sweley,78, of Kearney formerly of Grand Island passed away on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at Mary Lanning Hospital. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ravenna with burial to follow at the Litchfield Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Litchfield American Legion and U.S. Army. Pastor Don Becker will officiate. CDC guidelines and social distancing will be followed and masks are required. All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island is entrusted with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home Activities Department and Litchfield Fire and Rescue Department. Burdette was born on May 23, 1942 in Litchfield, son of Roy R. and Elva A. (Kieborz) Sweley. Burdette was raised on the farm near Litchfield where he graduated from High School in 1960. He served in the U.S. Army from April 28, 1966 until January 31, 1968 spending two years stationed in Seoul Korea during the Vietnam War. Once returning from the service he would often come back to the family farm in Litchfield to help with any odd jobs and to spend time with his family. He was united in marriage to Pamela Sixel, the mother of his daughters, on August 15, 1971. Burdette was employed for over 23 and a half years as the tool salesman at Ace Hardware in Grand Island. Burdette lived to serve with a smile. Even through difficult illnesses and injuries, Burdette kept a positive attitude. He demonstrated his love for family with actions and writing letters. His kind letters of encouragement and smile will be cherished by his family. He is survived by his daughter, Angela (Bryan) Reed of Oakdale, NE; brothers, Wayne (Dorothy) Sweley of Taylor, NE, Mike (Roseann) Sweley of Grand Island, Gerald (Emma) Sweley of Grand Island, Randal Sweley of Kimball, Roger (Debra) Sweley of Grand Island, and Ronald (Darlene) Sweley of Litchfield, NE; sisters, LaVonne McGraw of Broken Bow, Karen (Eldon) Schall of Litchfield, Mary (Mark) Scheidies of Farmington, MI and Marilyn (Bob) Lammers of Kearney; two grandchildren, Lora and Marcus Reed; and a host of extended family and friends. Burdette was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Cheryl Sweley; brothers, Meredith, Merrill, George and Gale.