James T. Sweeney

October 08, 1945 - February 01, 2010

Of Crest Hill, passed away Monday, February 1, 2010 at Joliet Area Community Hospice after a long courageous battle with cancer. Age 64.
Survived by his loving wife of 32 years Charlene (nee Hanus), a daughter Jennifer (Michael Yurkovich) Sweeney of Romeoville, a son James Sweeney Jr. of Crest Hill; beloved canine companions Tiffany, Dixie and Tucker. Two sisters Joyce (Raymond) Matkovic of DesPlaines and Mary Ellen Short of Crest Hill; sister-in-law Mary Jean Sweeney of Sheridan and brother-in-law Charles (Christina) Hanus Jr of Elwood. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Preceded in death by his parents Henry and Dorothy (nee Jay) Sweeney, a sister Jean Honig, a brother Henry “Hank” Sweeney, brothers-in-law Robert Honig Sr. and Wolfgang “Rick” Short, nephews Sean Sweeney and Robert Honig Jr., father-in-law Charles Hanus Sr and mother-in-law Ann Hanus.
Born October 8, 1945 and married Charlene Hanus on August 27, 1977 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Joliet. An avid reader and air show enthusiast. He enjoyed vacationing in the Smoky Mountains and visiting Army, Air Force and Navy Military Bases. Retired from of the US Army serving in Vietnam from September 28, 1966 thru November 27, 1967; February 16, 1968 thru May 12, 1968; December 11, 1969 thru November 15, 1970. He also served in Indochina and Korea. Jim proudly served with 1st Cavalry Division, 101st Airborne Division and 1st Aviation Brigade. Awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Service Star; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, National Defense Service Medal; 3 O/S Bars; Air Medal (5th Award); Aircraft Crewman Badge; Army Commendation Medal;
Meritorious Unit Citation; Bronze Star Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea); Marksman Badge w/ Rifle Bar (M-16); VSM; NDSM; Air Medal Aircraft Crmn Badge; VCM; 2 O/S Bars; MM (Rifle M-14).
Employed by Molex as a Quality Assurance Technician and The Labor Record as a Bookkeeper. A member of the VFW Cantigny Post 367, 1st Cavalry Division, 101st Airborne Division, Association of the United States Army and Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association.

Funeral Information

Funeral services will be held from the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home, 2320 Black Rd., Friday, February 5 at 9:15 A.M. to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 2500 Arbeiter Road, for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Donations Information

Memorials to Joliet Area Community Hospice or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church will be appreciated.