Don Nerlin Sweeney's Obituary
Don Nerlin Sweeney
Don Nerlin Sweeney was born December 2, 1925 in Tacoma, Washington to Chester DeForest Sweeney and Vida Manila Nerlin Sweeney. He passed away on January 20, 2016 in Lakewood, Washington.
Don grew up on Marine View Drive in Tacoma, Washington and graduated from Federal Way High School. He joined the Army during World War II and started his military service in May, 1944. He served in the Pacific during the Philippine Liberation and with the Army of Occupation in Japan. Don continued with military service and had a distinguished career with the Judge Advocate General’s Office, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major before retiring on November 30, 1965.
On December 2, 1952, in Reno, Nevada, Don married Betty Tolchinsky, who also was serving in the military. Don and Betty loved the military life, traveling and making friends wherever they were posted. They were stationed in western Washington, California, Formosa (Taiwan) and Verona, Italy and traveled extensively in Europe and Asia.
After retirement, Don and Betty settled on Marrowstone Island, near Port Townsend, where they built their dream home on the water. Don was then able to enjoy his life-long love of Puget Sound: boating, fishing, clamming, crabbing and raising his own oysters on their beach. They continued traveling by RV in the United States, Canada and Mexico, covering 25,500 miles in the United States and Canada on one trip.
Don and Betty enjoyed over 42 years together, before she passed away in 1995. Although not blessed with children, they stayed close to family enjoying their nieces and nephews and the time that their foster daughter lived with them.
Don was pre-deceased by his sister, Marilyn Minhinnett and great-nephew, Stormie Johanson. He is survived by his sister, Estell Sleavin, nephew, Greg Minhinnett, nieces: Trudy Dasovick, Marjory Johnson, Wendy Polack, Renee Hart, Stacey Christensen, Leslie Trujillo, foster daughter, Sue Cantrell, 11 great nieces and nephews and 9 great-great nieces and nephews.
He will be missed.
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