Obituary of Donald Francis Sweeney

Donald Francis Sweeney, 90, of Lakewood, NY passed away at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at UPMC Chautauqua. A lifelong area resident, he was born December 14, 1928, a son of the late James Francis and Violet Walradt Sweeney.

Don was the valedictorian of his 1946 class at Panama Central School and married his wife, the former Crystal McIntyre, on May 15, 1948 in Kiantone, NY. She passed away May 27, 2005.

Don began his early working career at Green Brothers Lumber. He then went to work for the S.M. Flickinger Co., which included the Cash & Carry Wholesale Outlet, for 30 years, retiring in 1990. He remained there part-time for another 20 years, concluding in 2012. Don truly enjoyed all of the people he met during those 50 years.

Having grown up on a dairy farm in Niobe, Don and Crystal raised their family on a farm purchased just 1 mile down the road. They remained there until 1977 when they moved to Lakewood.

Don was an active, charter member along with his late wife, Crystal, of the Jamestown Church of Christ which was established in 1964.

Don loved being outside. Whether he was on his Farmall Super A or his lawn tractor, he enjoyed it all. A newly mowed lawn or a clean car gave him great pleasure.

He is survived by two sons: Randall (Peggy) Sweeney of Lakewood and Larry (Martha) Sweeney of Henderson, TN; four grandchildren: Kathleen (Steven) Postle of Seminole, FL, Adam (Emily Young) Sweeney of Charlottesville, VA, Andrew (Niki) Sweeney of Sellersburg, IN and Jeremy Sweeney of Myrtle Beach, SC; four great-grandchildren: Conrad Postle, Fiona Postle, Owen Young Sweeney and Eden Young Sweeney; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife, Crystal, and his parents, Don was preceded in death by two brothers, Frederick and Richard Sweeney; and a daughter-in-law, Emily Sweeney.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 22 at the Jamestown Church of Christ. Larry Sweeney, Don's son and retired minister, will officiate. Private burial will be in the Grant Cemetery in Niobe, NY.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Lind Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Jamestown Church of Christ, 875 Fairmount Ave., or the Donald & Crystal Sweeney Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., both Jamestown, NY 14701.