James Francis Sweeney

James Francis Sweeney was born in Detroit to parents Joe and Elizabeth Sweeney. His father was an Irish Catholic dentist and accomplished pianist; his mother was a fiery German immigrant who traveled to the United States, alone, at age 16 but never lost her accent.  Jim was the youngest of five children, a family that remained tightly knit for their entire lives. When Jim was two years old, his family moved back to the Mt. Pleasant home that Jim's grandfather had built in 1887. From that point on, Jim became a lifelong Mt. Pleasant resident and fixture of the community. He and his siblings graduated from Sacred Heart Academy, just as his father, aunts, and uncles had done. Jim was also a devout member of Sacred Heart Parish. He attended Sunday Mass scrupulously for his entire life until the Covid-19 pandemic. In both his personal and professional lives, Jim was devoted to service. He graduated from Central Michigan University in 1967 and served in Vietnam for the United States Army. Following his return he joined the Isabella County Sheriff's Department, serving as a corrections officer for nearly thirty-three years. Along the way, he met the love of his life, Marilyn Hawkins. They met at the Elk Lodge, where Jim was bartending, and Marilyn was waitressing. They were married June 18, 1977, in Sacred Heart Church. Jim passed away days before their forty-fifth wedding anniversary. They had one child, Patrick, born in 1987. One of Jim's final acts was attending Patrick's and Breann Fuller's wedding on June 11, 2022. Kind, generous, and   soft-spoken, Jim always prioritized the needs of others. He was a devoted husband and father, who could always be found in attendance at any event or game in which Patrick was participating (including the sports that Patrick wasn't terribly good at playing). Jim was always the first person to reach for the bill after dinner, and the last person to ask a family member or friend for accommodation. He liked the simple things: golf and bowling leagues, a big breakfast every day, his same three pairs of worn-out jeans, and griping about the weather or the Detroit Lions. On occasion, he could be found on a dance floor, and Marilyn will attest that he had some moves. Jim had a dry sense of humor and infectious smile, and he wasn't afraid to (lovingly) poke fun at friends, family, coworkers, casual acquaintances, and strangers. He also wasn't partisan or political, and believed that things work better when people argue less and listen more. Jim is survived by Marilyn and Patrick (Breann), his brothers Pat (Midge) and Joe, and all the nieces and nephews for whom he served as babysitter, poker rival, and constant staple at holidays and family gatherings. The world is a little less friendly with Jim gone, and we can all learn from his example of respect and consideration. A Funeral Mass for Jim will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 23 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski as celebrant. Immediately following will be a luncheon in Lincoln Reception Center (attached to the Charles R. Lux Funeral Home). The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4-7:00 p.m. with a vigil beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Thursday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made in Jim's honor to the Wounded Warriors Project or to the Richard Brandell and Joseph Sweeney Recreation Fund at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation, a fund created in honor of Jim's father (Joe) and Jim's brother-in-law and close friend (Dick Brandell). To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.