1 Answer

Birth: Aug. 20, 1935
Death: Jan. 13, 2004

Gail Rinehart Swinney, 68, died Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at an Abilene Care Home. A graveside service, with Chaplain Chris Allen officiating, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Highway 277 South.

The family will be at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday for visitation.

Mrs. Swinney was born on August 20, 1935 in Evansville, Indiana the daughter of Alva and Minnie Crawford Rinehart. She graduated from Evansville Central High School in 1953. She married Paul Swinney in March of 1954 and lived many places as she followed him throughout his career in the U.S. Air Force. She was a passionate volunteer for the Air Force Family Service program and while in Alaska received the honor of 5,000 volunteer hours worked from United States Senator Ted Stevens. Gail's volunteer hours were served at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Turner AFB in Albany, Georgia, Hickam AFB in Hawaii, Dyess AFB in Abilene, and Elmendorf AFB in Alaska. Gail served as leader of TOPS 927 locally.

Her parents and a sister preceded Gail in death.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Swinney of Abilene; a son and daughter-in-law, David W. and Deborah L. Swinney of Anchorage, Alaska; a daughter and son-in-law, Paula Faye and Martin Meisler of Anchorage, Alaska; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Alva and Julie and Ed and Darlene Rinehart all of Boonville, Indiana; one sister, Faye Ann Crutsinger of Evansville, Indiana; four grandchildren, Kristopher Swinney, Jessica Swinney, Jason Meisler and Angela Meisler; a stepmother, Beula Hopper of Newburgh, Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Texas Lions Camp c/o Abilene Founder Lions Club, P.O. Box 565, Abilene, TX 79604-0565 or Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 803638, Chicago, IL 60680-3638.