Robert Gregory Sweeney passed away Nov. 30, 2018, in Chehalis, Wash., with his two youngest sons by his side. Robert was born Feb. 27, 1943, in St. Joseph, Miss., to Robert William Sweeney and Delores Jane (Gregory) Sweeney. He was the first of 10 children.
Robert and his family moved to Butte, Mont., at a young age, where he attended school and later worked in the mines and the Berkley Pit. He married the love of his life, Martha Pearl Evans March 10, 1961, in Deerlodge Mont. They remained married for 57 years, until his death. Together, they had six children, sons, Theodore Sweeney, Robert P. (Della) Sweeney of Chehalis, Francis (Fran) Sweeney of Centralia Wash., Charles Sweeney, Chehalis, and daughters, Bridgette Sweeney of Butte, Mont., and Delores (Jeff) Sweeney of Olympia, Wash.
He moved his family to Chehalis in 1975, to work for WIDCO at the Centralia Steam Plant as a AAA Tire Man and he retired in 2000. After retirement, Dad loved to work in his yard and garden. Robert grew foods for mom to can and his pride, his roses. He enjoyed spending time at their timeshare with his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed traveling back to Butte often to see his daughter and her children and his sisters. Most people new dad as "Grumpy", some not ever knowing his real name. His grandchildren called him Grandpa Grumpy.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws; son, Ted; brother-in-law, Joe; and sisters-in-law, Nadine and Linda.
He is survived by his wife, children; grandchildren, Jamie, Chris, Edward and Bryan, Greg, Wayne, Jonathan and Mary, Dawn, Dustin and Amber; brother, Richard (Martha) Sweeney; sisters, Linda McMannomon, Laura Wine, Donna (Ed) Haxby, April Sullivan, Paula (Joe) Pirini, Debbie (Bill) Thomas, all of Butte, Karen (Steve) Sands of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Karin Sweeney (Bill) Beck of Heber City, Utah; his wife’s family, brother-in-law, Hank Chapman, Frank (Barbara) Peck, Pat (Vickie) Peck, all of Butte, Edward Peck of Ariz., and Myrtle McLean of Idaho; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing and rosary will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Dec. 14, 2018, at Newell-Hoerling in Centralia. Catholic mass and celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Daddy, you will be missed dearly.
Until we meet again.
