Jewel "Junior" Sweeney of Steelville, Missouri passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at his home at the age of 77 years. He was born January 19, 1935 in St. Louis, MO to Jewell Sweeney and Eunice (White) Sweeney. In St. Louis, MO on July 9, 1966, he was united in marriage to Helen Lucille McConnell who survives of the home.

Junior served his country honorably in the U.S. Army. He worked at General Motors in St. Louis for a few years and then as a custodian for eleven years in the Steelville Public School System and retired in the early 1990's. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and cutting wood. Most of all he loved his grandchildren and all of his family.

He is survived by his wife of almost forty-six years, Helen of Steelville, MO; six sons Billy Sweeney and Terry Sweeney both of St. Louis, MO, Herb Sweeney of St. James, MO, Bobby Sweeney and wife Pat of De Soto, MO, and Dewayne Evans and Paul Sweeney and wife Faith all of Steelville, MO; four daughters Angie Lasmanis of St. James, MO, Theresa Sanders and husband Johnny, Julie Green and husband Bobby and Christina Hutson and husband Bobby all of Steelville, MO; six sisters Vurda Mae Cochran and Margaret Rulo of De Soto, MO, Mary Lee Bacon of Salem, MO, Lulu Bell Hansen and husband Paul of Rolla, MO and Pat Evans and husband Olin and Linda Harmon and husband Alvin of Festus, MO; several grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jewell Sweeney and Eunice Bailey; and two daughters Theresa and Melonie Sweeney.

The Family received friends from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. The Patriot Guard attended as the Honor Guard.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 6, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" and "Go Rest High" was played.

Commital prayer and burial with full military honors from the U.S. Army and Patriot Guard were in the Fairview Cemetery at Butts, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were Norman Cochran, Dewayne Evans, Johnny Sanders, Bobby Hutson, Paul Sweeney and Herb Sweeney.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, Missouri.