Christi Sweeney

MORRIS—Christi Sweeney, 58, of Morris, was called home to the Lord on Feb. 20, 2020 with her loving family at her side after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer.
Christi graduated high school in 1980 in St. Louis, MO. During high school she completed the office occupations course of study and then began working in the board of education building at the high school she attended. She continued working there until she married her husband, David, on Oct. 2 of 1982. After her marriage, she moved to Wilmington and worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet until her second child was born.
After her children were born, Christi was able to stay home and raise their three children. It also meant she was able to help with the care of her mother-in-law, father-in-law, and grandmother-in-law, all of whom she loved dearly.
Christi always loved kids and felt so blessed with the birth of her children. She enjoyed spending time with them and being involved with all their activities growing up. They surprised her in 2017 with a dream vacation to Maui, HI where they enjoyed the beautiful scenic views and ocean activities. At First Christian Church of Morris, she ministered to and watched hundreds of infants and toddlers and their families during her 18-year service as nursery coordinator. She also worked as a church secretary and children's assistant during that time and spent 10 years as co-director for Vacation Bible School where she worked tirelessly for six months out of the year so that preschool through elementary kids could learn about Jesus.
Besides spending time with her family, Christi enjoyed sewing, crafts, scrapbooking her family memories and reading. She had some very special and devoted friends that encouraged her through her illness. She considered many of her friends, family, and always wanted everyone to be welcome in her home.
Christi is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, David; three children: Christopher Sweeney, of Canton, MA; Nicholas (Lisa) Sweeney, of LaSalle, IL and Jessie (Ian) Gephart, of Lincoln, IL; her siblings: Sue Chiarelli, Tom (Marcia) Brawley, Tim (Sue) Brawley, Kathy (Joe) Grove, Linda Chamineak, Georgia (Jeff) Gropple and Dolly Curtis; sisters-in-law, Kathy Sweeney and Debi Andre and brother-in-law, Tom Sweeney, along with numerous nieces and nephews who she dearly loved, and her foster dad, Gerald Nordman; foster sister, Christie (Dennis) Morgan and foster brother, Scott Nordman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ted Brawley and Fern Chamineak; her younger brothers, Kevin and Terry Chamineak; her grandparents, her mother-in-law, Joan Sweeney; her father-in-law, Hoazy Sweeney; grandmother-in-law, Lois Borton and her foster mom, June Nordman.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, 10 a.m. to noon, at the First Christian Church, located at 455 W. Southmor Rd., Morris. A Celebration of Christi's Life will immediately follow at noon, officiated by Dr. Chuck Richardson.
In honor of Christi's four year battle with breast cancer, the family requests that guests consider wearing pink to the services.
For further information and online condolences, visit the website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted with U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington Street, Morris.