Phillip Gregory Sweet
Mr. Phillip Gregory Sweet, age 65 of Dongola, died at 2:45 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2013 at his home in Dongola. He was born February 3, 1948 in Mattoon, the son of George Jackson and Gloria June White Sweet.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps 1966-1970, serving two tours. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and he also served in Africa. He was a life member of the VFW. He loved being a Marine and received various military service awards including 3 purple hearts, a national defense service medal, Fr Croix De Gueurre, a medal from Moracco and a CAR.
In his own time, he trained dogs for battle. Phil also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Vienna area fire department.
Following honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Phil dedicated 27 years to the United States Postal Service in the offices of Joliet and Carbondale, retiring in January of 2012.
Phil was a passionate person and enjoyed many things in life. He had a love for animals, travel, poetry, painting, and farming. He enjoyed traveling and taking his dogs on truck rides. Those who grew up with him knew him as “Greg” and say he was always there for family and friends. His heart was full of
Love for others, as was so evident by his relationship with the young children who loved him dearly and called him “Papa Phil.”
Survivors include his niece, Christie Sweet; nephew, David Sweet; several loved cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. He also left behind Janet Ransom and her family, whom he has spent the last several years sharing life with and he loved them with all of his heart. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gloria June (White) Sweet; father, George Jackson Sweet; brother, Bill Sweet, Ex-wife Susan DePratt Sweet, Step-son Bryan Davidson, several cousins, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services for Mr. Phillip Gregory Sweet will be at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, October 30, 2013 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna with Pastor Kathy Montira officiating. Interment will be in the Mound City National Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by area Veteran’s and the Illinois Army National Guard Military Honors Team of Marion. Friends may call after 9:00 a.m. and until the service hour at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to This Able Veteran 1714 South Wolf Creek Road Carbondale, Illinois 62902 or Wounded Warriors PO BOX 758517 Topeka, KS 66675 or Toys for Tots. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
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