Obituaries

Gary K. Sweeley, age 90, of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Freighter View Assisted Living Home, Sault Sainte Marie. He was born in Loyalsockville, Pennsylvania on May 18, 1934, to the late Elmer E. and Helen E. (Walters) Sweeley.

Mr. Sweeley was a resident of Sault Sainte Marie since retiring from General Motors, Detroit, Michigan, in 1996. A graduate of Leetonia High School, in Leetonia, Ohio, he went on to graduate from Youngstown University, in Youngstown, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering and a graduate of Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Michigan, with a Masters in Materials Engineering. He also served with the United States Army in Korea. Hе was a 35-year employee of General Motors Corporation, first in Lansing, Michigan, with the Oldsmobile Division as a metallurgical engineer and as manager of steel procurement, then as a transferee to the North American Steel Purchasing Group of Worldwide Purchasing, General Motors Corporation, in Detroit. He traveled extensively throughout the North American steel industry and throughout Europe and Japan as a G.M. purchasing agent and as a metallurgical engineer in the procurement of steel for the General Motors Corporation Worldwide. During his retirement years, Mr. Sweeley enjoyed travelling domestically and abroad with his wife Joanne spending time at his cabin on Muskallonge Lake, in Deer Park, Michigan, and being with his family.

Mr. Sweeley was a member of the Central United Methodist Church in Sault Sainte Marie.

Mr. Sweeley is survived by his children, daughter, Catherine J. (John) Wilkinson; son, Daniel P. (Christine) Sweeley of Grand Island, New York; and two grandchildren, Matthew and Mark LaRoue.

Mr. Sweeley was preceded in death by his wife Joanne of 63 ½ years; parents; and two brothers, Elmer E. Sweeley, Jr. (1991) and David W. (Jan) Sweeley (1988).

A private service will be held in the Spring, cremation followed by interment at the Whitefish Township Cemetery, in Paradise, Michigan.

Memorials may be made to the Choir at Central United Methodist Church, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783.