Obituaries

James Dedrich Sweeny, 83, of Elgin, IL died Wednesday April 11, 2018.  “Jim”, son of James Alfred and Gertrude Dedrich Sweeny, loving husband of Virginia Saum Sweeny, passed away on April 11^th as a result of heart failure and a year long struggle with dialysis.  He is survived by his wife Ginny, daughter Kit (DeWitt), and her husband Jan of Wayne, IL and son Billy, and his wife Carrie (Agrella) of Lake Geneva, WI.  He is also survived by four grandchildren; granddaughter Ginny (DeWitt) Rosso, her husband Mike and their daughter Finley of Geneva, IL, grandson Nick DeWitt, grandson Payne Sweeny and granddaughter Olivia Sweeny.  Nicknamed “Bobby” by his first grandchild, Jim was born in Toledo to his loving parents, Jim grew up in Waterville, OH and attended Maumee Valley Country Day School.   Jim (a member of the ATO Fraternity) and Ginny (KKG Sorority) met at Michigan State University, married in 1957 and moved to Columbus, OH where Jim attended Ohio State University and attained his Veterinary degree.  In 1961 Jim opened Aurora Animal Hospital where he lovingly tended to small animals.  In 1969 the Sweeny family moved to Minocqua, WI where Jim founded Shamrock Sales, a recreational vehicle dealership, and enjoyed the thrill of racing thru ownership of a snowmobile racing team.  Living in the Northwoods, experiencing the glory of the outdoors Jim made numerous friends wherever he went.  In 1975 Jim moved his family to St. Charles, IL where he founded the St. Charles Veterinary Clinic, receiving the “Clinic of the Year” for the USA in 1978.  In the 1980’s Jim and Ginny owned 4 Hallmark Stores in the Chicagoland Area.  Upon “retirement” in 2004, Jim and Ginny moved to Apple Canyon Lake, near Galena, IL where they resided until 2015, at which time they moved to the Elgin Area to be closer to family and expert healthcare. Jim loved anything MSU, a Spartan for life, hunting, racing, birding, and making his wife Ginny happy, always putting a smile on everyone’s face.  Jim was a member of Ducks Unlimited, NRA, White Gate Skeet Club, St. Charles Country Club and President of the Aurora Exchange Club.  Visitation will be held Saturday June 9^th at Yurs Funeral Home in St. Charles, IL, from 3:00-5:00pm with a celebration of his life held at daughter’s home immediately afterward.

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