James "Jim" Swartz, 87, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 17 at 11:00 AM, at First United Methodist Church in Columbus with Rev. Keunsik Lee officiating.  A private family interment will be held at a later date.  Visitation will be on Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue Monday from 10:00 AM until service time at the church.  Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association. The funeral service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Facebook Page.

Jim was born October 27, 1935, in Ravenna, Nebraska, to Cecil and Bessie (Poskochil) Swartz.  He graduated from Ceresco High School and began working for the State of Nebraska Department of Roads in Omaha.  On November 18, 1956, Jim was united in marriage to his grade school sweetheart Helen Richard.  The couple moved to Columbus where they lived the majority of their life, except for a few years in Silver Creek.  Jim retired from the State of Nebraska after 42 years.   Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, gardening, and bowling.  For the past few years, Jim and Helen would winter in Texas or Mississippi.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

Jim is survived by:
Wife – Helen Swartz of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Kathy Cook of WA
Daughter – Karla (Dave) Nansel of Columbus, NE
Daughter – Kristie Pillen of Boise, ID
Son – Richard Swartz of Columbus, NE
Numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Great-Great Grandchildren
Brother – David (Jan) Swartz of Lincoln, NE

Jim was preceded in death by:
Parents – Cecil and Bessie Swartz
Grandson – Kody Pillen