Tommy Taylor Sweeten, 72, of Mt. Vernon passed away Saturday evening December 9, 2017.

He was born in Ina, IL on October 26, 1945, the son of Thomas J. & Leota (Taylor) Sweeten.

He married Marsha Benedict in 1974 and she preceded him in death in 1986.

Mr. Sweeten attended the Ina Grade School, Mt. Vernon Township High School (1963), Mt. Vernon Community College and Murray State University. He served in the US Army from January 1967 to November 1968. He worked at the Ina State Bank, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and 30 years as a Coal Miner in the UMWA at Inland Steel Coal (later CONSOL, Rend Lake Mine) in Sesser and retired in 2003.

He is survived by his 2 Sons:

Christopher (Amber) Sweeten of Breese

Matthew (Ashley) Sweeten of Mt. Vernon

Grandchildren: Megan, Ava, Lily, Allie and Jaxson Sweeten

Brother: Dr. Gary Sweeten & wife Karen of Ohio

Sister-in-law: Angela Sweetin of Maryland

Mr. Sweeten was preceded in death by his Parents, Brother-Maurice Sweetin and by an Infant Brother-Donald.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 14th at the Ina Missionary Baptist Church in Ina with Dr. Gary Sweeten officiating. Burial with Military Rites conducted by Mt. Vernon American Legion Post #141 will be in the Kirk Cemetery in Ina. Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Johnston Funeral Home in Ina and from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Ina Missionary Baptist Church.

For those who wish memorials may be made to HOOAH and will be accepted at the funeral home at any time.

For more information or to sign the online guest register please visit www.johnstonfuneralhome.com