Leslie Paul Sweeden
Born: February 11th, 1936
Died: August 6th, 2011
Obituary
Leslie Paul Sweeden, 75, of Burlington, died at 4 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington. Born Feb. 11, 1936, in Centerville, he was the son of Paul and Faye Farris Sweeden. On Feb. 25, 1973, he married Diane Michael in Oquawka, Ill. Mr. Sweeden owned a gas station before moving to Burlington. He worked at Sylvania, as a millwright at Iowa Ordinance Plant, and in maintenance at Champion. He owned and operated Paul's Handyman Service, carved signs, and retired from A.D.D.S. He made Scavenger pumps for elevators part-time after retiring. Eleven of the 12 elevators at Great River Medical Center use his Scavenger pumps. He graduated from Centerville High School in 1955. He served as a jet aircraft mechanic in the Air Force from 1956 to 1960, primarily at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. He became a crew chief on an F-100 fighter. Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Shelly McIlhenny of Burlington; two sons, Marty Sweeden and Jamey Sweeden, both of Burlington; three grandchildren; one brother, Sam Sweeden of Niles, Mich.; nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 8 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hass-Thielen Funeral Home in Burlington, where family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. The funeral for Mr. Sweeden will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hass-Thielen Funeral Home, with Sam Sweeden officiating. Burial with military rites will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be at Hass-Thielen community room following burial. A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice House.