Jerry C. Sweeney

Jerald Cooper Sweeney, 85, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. He was born at St. Francis Hospital on October 26, 1934 to Lillian Elizabeth (Cooper) and Harry Ray Sweeney. The middle child and only son, Jerry had an older sister, Betty (Siegman), and younger sister, Marilyn (Wagner). He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and graduated from Cathedral High School where he played clarinet in the marching band. He began a 35-year career with Indiana Bell when he started working in their mailroom at age 17. He later became an installer and repairman, supervisor, and retired as the District Manager of Financial Assurance. His career included a three-year assignment at AT&T’s New York City headquarters. After his retirement from Indiana Bell, he worked as a project management consultant for Davis & Dean, and later was a courier for Rapid Delivery and several local hospitals.

He and his wife Shirley initially met when they were 15 and 16 years old when Jerry worked at Scott’s Grocery in Irvington. They were married on November 12, 1955 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Together they had four children: Michael, Daniel, Maureen, and Carrie. As a family, they lived in Indianapolis, Anderson, and Bluffton, Indiana as well as Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jerry loved his family and especially took pleasure in his grandchildren and great-granddaughters. He enjoyed camping, telling jokes, crossword puzzles, and watching Pacers and Colts’ games. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Knights of Columbus, and served on the Dedication Committee for Little Flower’s new church completed in 1962.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley (Bartholomew) Sweeney; sons, Michael (Kathy) and Daniel (and the late Nancy) Sweeney; daughters, Maureen Sweeney and Carrie (Scott) Lamb; and sister, Marilyn Wagner. He is also survived by five grandchildren; Kristie (Darrin) Ruling, Timothy (Brandi) Sweeney, Katie Trennepohl, Julienne and Linnea Tuterow; four great-granddaughters; Chloe and Cailyn Ruling, Emma Sweeney, and Kaylee Trennepohl, along with numerous cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Siegman, daughter-in-law, Nancy Sweeney, sister-in-law, Jeane (Bartholomew) Hill, brother-in-laws, William Wagner and Richard Hill, niece, Joyce (Hill) Zillinger, nephew, David Siegman, and nephew-in-law, Charles Pride, Sr.

Calling will be held Thursday, November 7 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Indiana Funeral Care, Harry W. Moore Chapel, 8151 Allisonville Rd., Indianapolis. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church, 4720 E. 13th St., Indianapolis at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 8, with visitation one- hour prior at the church. You are invited to visit the website www.indianafuneralcare.com where you can share a personal memory or sign the guest book. Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s name to Friends of Indianapolis Animal Care Services Foundation online at www.friendsofindyacc.org or by mail at 7399 N. Shadeland Ave. #117, Indianapolis, IN 46250.