Virgil Sweeney

PEORIA --- Virgil G. Sweeney, 83, of Peoria, passed away at 3:53 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011, at Lutheran Hillside Village in Peoria. He was born July, 25, 1928, in Peoria to William T. and Hazel E. Sherwood Sweeney. A graduate of Metamora High School, Virgil attended Bradley University for two years. He served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1949, and was awarded many medals during his time of service. He was an electrical engineer with the Navy, and also worked as an electrical engineer for CILCO, retiring in 1988. Virgil married Helen Marie Cockrill on Nov. 17, 1973, in Peoria. She survives. He is also survived by two daughters, Kathleen M. (Paul) Belsly of Washington and Christine E. (David) Maher of East Peoria; eight grandchildren, Todd Railey, Liza (Matt) Yost, Leslie (Kent) Seiler, Kandace Foster, Angie Belsly, Shawn Williams, Danielle Williams and Kanoa Maher; two great-grandchildren; three nephews; one niece; and one sister, Shirley Seils of Germantown Hills. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia A. Williams, and brother-in-law, Earl Seils. Virgil was a member of Dayton Avenue Baptist Church, where he was a treasurer and usher. He will be remembered as an avid golfer and volunteer for the American Red Cross. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011, at The Wilton Mortuary, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor H.B. Sunny Mooney III and Pastor Paul Park will co-officiate the service. Interment will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hillside Village or to Dayton Avenue Baptist Church. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.thewiltonmortuary.com.