Gerald D. Swilley

EL DORADO - Swilley, Gerald D., 97, passed away Jan. 30, 2015, at Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital. Gerald's life began on Feb. 6, 1917, in Toronto, KS, the son of John and Sadie (Alley) Swilley. He is a 1936 graduate of Toronto High School. Gerald served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He met his bride, Christiane De Salas in Paris during the war. They married on Sept. 22, 1945, in Paris. Gerald was a defense contract auditor for the U. S. Air Force in Wichita. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, even shooting a deer and turkeys in his 90's. As a young man he was a fur trapper. Gerald loved dogs and especially was fond of his dachshunds. His loving family includes his children, Suzanne Ely of Knoxville, TN, Vivian (Phillip) Kenney of Riverview, FL, Jeff (Carolyn) Swilley of El Dorado and Gerald Kirk ( Lori) Swilley of Wichita; 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Christiane in 2004, and 10 siblings. His family will gather with friends on Monday from 5-8 p.m. at Carlson Funeral Home where his funeral will be held on Tuesday, at 2 p.m. led by Pastor David Gibbs of the Towanda First Baptist Church. He will laid to rest in Walnut Valley Memorial Park with military honors. Memorial contributions in his name may be directed to the El Dorado World War II Museum or the Kansas Humane Society. Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Gerald at www.carlsoncolonial.com.