Obituary for Lonnie Cleo Sweeten
Lonnie Cleo Sweeten, age 81, of Hackett, Arkansas passed away on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022 in Barling, Arkansas. He was born in Paris, AR on April 18, 1941, just 15 minutes after his twin brother.
He is preceded in death by his parents Velda and Kelly Sweeten, his wife Linda Sweeten, his brother Harlan (Skip) Sweeten, and his son Keith Sweeten. He is survived by his daughter Lonna R. Schank (Doug) of Crossville, TN and his son Kelly D Sweeten (Jennifer) of Rogers, AR, his brother Donnie Sweeten of Greenwood, AR (Ruthie) and sister Kay Boggs (Larry Paul) of Bonanza, AR, his grandsons Donnie Williams and Sam Sweeten, his granddaughters Brandis Smith, Chandler, Moore, and MacKenzie Lopez, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Lonnie attended high school in Panama, OK where he participated in the football, baseball and football. He was an identical twin and shared a special bond and a few mischievious pranks with his older brother Donnie. He was a good brother to all three of his siblings. He patiently and dutifully cared for his wife Linda as she battled cancer for several years. During his early life, he traveled the Pacific Northwest with his parents but much of his life was spent in the Fort Smith area. For a short while, Lonnie lived in the Indianapolis area where he loved spending time with his daughter Lonna, his son Keith and their families. With his son Kelly, Lonnie elk hunted in Colorado, fished the White River, and stood in awe at the beauty of Yellowstone National Park and Mt. Rushmore.
Prior to his employment at Gerber Products Company of Fort Smith, Lonnie worked at Riverside Furniture, L & W Woodproducts in Barling, the Cessna Aircraft factory in Wichita, KS, and was also co-owner of the “Your Best Bet” gift shop in Jasper, AR. He was a skilled woodworking craftsman, a stained glass artist, and an avid fisherman and hunter. A trace of his humor was evident if you have ever listened to his outgoing voicemail message ‘(Leave a message after the BLEEP”). If you asked Lonnie “How are you?”, you may hear his response of “rough as a cobb and twice as corny”, which was very accurate. He loved country music classics, like those by singer Johnny Horton, and Johnny Cash, but by far his favorite was The King – Elvis Presley.
Recently, he traveled to Rogers, AR to spend time with Lonna, Kelly and other family. During that trip, he relished another chance to go striper fishing on Beaver Lake, shoot his rifle at the local gun range, savor a blueberry milk shake, and watch the new movie “Elvis” on the big screen. He also loved an occasional visit to the casino. Lonnie’s last outing was an afternoon spent at the casino with Donnie, Larry, and Kelly. He was a winner and was happy to treat everyone to lunch at the buffet, displaying his continual generosity.
Lonnie was most comfortable wearing Wrangler jeans, a western shirt with pearl buttons, and a billed hat in hunter orange or a camoflauge pattern. He loved to treasure hunt at garage sales, pawn shops, antique stores, and estate auctions where he amassed a large collection of his favorites –eagles, deer, and Blue Willow dishes. He appreciated the kindness and friendship of his sweet neighbors and caregivers. A generous person, Lonnie was quick to give and assist others if possible.
In summary, Lonnie loved his family and his family loved him.
A memorial service to honor the life of Lonnie Sweeten will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 at 10:00am in Fort Smith, AR under the direction of Ocker Putman Funeral Home located at 4500 Jenny Lind Road.
He is preceded in death by his parents Velda and Kelly Sweeten, his wife Linda Sweeten, his brother Harlan (Skip) Sweeten, and his son Keith Sweeten. He is survived by his daughter Lonna R. Schank (Doug) of Crossville, TN and his son Kelly D Sweeten (Jennifer) of Rogers, AR, his brother Donnie Sweeten of Greenwood, AR (Ruthie) and sister Kay Boggs (Larry Paul) of Bonanza, AR, his grandsons Donnie Williams and Sam Sweeten, his granddaughters Brandis Smith, Chandler, Moore, and MacKenzie Lopez, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
Lonnie attended high school in Panama, OK where he participated in the football, baseball and football. He was an identical twin and shared a special bond and a few mischievious pranks with his older brother Donnie. He was a good brother to all three of his siblings. He patiently and dutifully cared for his wife Linda as she battled cancer for several years. During his early life, he traveled the Pacific Northwest with his parents but much of his life was spent in the Fort Smith area. For a short while, Lonnie lived in the Indianapolis area where he loved spending time with his daughter Lonna, his son Keith and their families. With his son Kelly, Lonnie elk hunted in Colorado, fished the White River, and stood in awe at the beauty of Yellowstone National Park and Mt. Rushmore.
Prior to his employment at Gerber Products Company of Fort Smith, Lonnie worked at Riverside Furniture, L & W Woodproducts in Barling, the Cessna Aircraft factory in Wichita, KS, and was also co-owner of the “Your Best Bet” gift shop in Jasper, AR. He was a skilled woodworking craftsman, a stained glass artist, and an avid fisherman and hunter. A trace of his humor was evident if you have ever listened to his outgoing voicemail message ‘(Leave a message after the BLEEP”). If you asked Lonnie “How are you?”, you may hear his response of “rough as a cobb and twice as corny”, which was very accurate. He loved country music classics, like those by singer Johnny Horton, and Johnny Cash, but by far his favorite was The King – Elvis Presley.
Recently, he traveled to Rogers, AR to spend time with Lonna, Kelly and other family. During that trip, he relished another chance to go striper fishing on Beaver Lake, shoot his rifle at the local gun range, savor a blueberry milk shake, and watch the new movie “Elvis” on the big screen. He also loved an occasional visit to the casino. Lonnie’s last outing was an afternoon spent at the casino with Donnie, Larry, and Kelly. He was a winner and was happy to treat everyone to lunch at the buffet, displaying his continual generosity.
Lonnie was most comfortable wearing Wrangler jeans, a western shirt with pearl buttons, and a billed hat in hunter orange or a camoflauge pattern. He loved to treasure hunt at garage sales, pawn shops, antique stores, and estate auctions where he amassed a large collection of his favorites –eagles, deer, and Blue Willow dishes. He appreciated the kindness and friendship of his sweet neighbors and caregivers. A generous person, Lonnie was quick to give and assist others if possible.
In summary, Lonnie loved his family and his family loved him.
A memorial service to honor the life of Lonnie Sweeten will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 at 10:00am in Fort Smith, AR under the direction of Ocker Putman Funeral Home located at 4500 Jenny Lind Road.