Charles Bartlett Sweeney was born February 14, 1935, to Millard Bartlett (Jack) and Veda Inez (Inie) Sweeney in East St. Louis, Illinois. He was raised in the Fort Wayne, Indiana, area by Raymond F. and Inez Bobay, where he spent many a day with friends up to all the orneriness a young boy could find there. Motivated by a love of the water, you could find him floating down the river on an old ironing board, fishing and swimming at Big Lake north of Columbia City, and eventually around the Mediterranean Ocean where he served his country in the Navy between the Korean and Vietnam wars. Chuck was an avid sailor, diver, fisherman, outdoorsman, and farmer. Actively continuing in his UET (Underwater Exploration Team) meetings (aka dinner with the boys) until he was well into his 80’s.

The city boy found the country girl that would keep him in line on a blind date set up by friends while he and Janet were working at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne. Married in 1965 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, they embraced numerous adventures traveling and camping across the United States, square dancing, cross-country skiing, and living life to its fullest. In 1972, they embraced their dream of country life and bought a 68-acre fruit farm in southwest Noble County, while still working full time for Pitney Bowes as a service technician until 1991. There, they raised three daughters, and a host of other teenagers that helped work seasonally at the farm. Chuck and Jan taught them all the value of hard work and service to the community, trusting in God and cherishing all his Creation. Between rescuing a variety of abandoned animals (a donkey, ponies, an orphaned fawn, and dozens of dogs, cats, and any other critters that needed a home), caring for their voluntarily acquired sheep, goats, rabbits, and chickens, and farming extensive acreage of fruit trees and plants, he embraced self-reliance and problem-solving skills common of many of his generation. He taught the girls priceless skills of animal husbandry, common sense, resilience, and perseverance, and led his family with courage and a high level of expectations for accountability and personal responsibility for actions. He was always hands-on with projects and had a full “can-do-anything” approach, every experience was full of lessons and gratitude for the adventures of all the wonderful blessings his life brought.

Chuck was an active member of the Cromwell-Kimmell Lions Club, the Living Water Lutheran Church of Wolf Lake and volunteered at their Food Pantry until summer of 2026, even after he exceeded 91 years of life. He was a devout blood donor, giving well over 10 gallons of blood to those in need for the Red Cross. He and Janet were also Master Gardeners mentoring children as well as many other individuals in the community. He cared deeply for all humans, never met a stranger, and gave so much of himself to others.

Although “retired”, Chuck worked as a driver for Noble County Council on Aging until shortly before turning 90 and was a volunteer for Hospice Services of Noble County until his health declined this past summer.

Preceding him in death are his parents Ray and Inez Bobay (Columbia City) and Jack Sweeney (Colorado); his sister Gene (Art) Musch of Brighton, Michigan; and, his oldest daughter, Elizabeth. Surviving are his wife of sixty-one years, Janet, of Cromwell; daughter Vicki (Jason) Becker of New Paris; daughter Laura (Eric) Hartman of LaGrange; son-in-law David (Angie) Click of Cromwell; grandchildren and step grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services are handled through Yeager Funeral Home in Ligonier. Calling on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Funeral service at 3:00pm on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with graveside services to follow at Thorncreek Cemetery, Sparta Township, Kimmel, Indiana, where he will be interred.

He rests now in God’s arms through the Grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Living Water Lutheran Church, Cromwell-Kimmel Lions Club, or Stone’s Trace Historical Society.