Spc. Christopher P. Sweet, 28

by Daily Inter Lake
| February 16, 2009 5:02 AM

Spc. Christopher P. Sweet, 28, of Springfield, Ill., died Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, in Kirkush, Iraq. He was born Feb. 6, 1981, in San Jose, Calif., the son of Peter and Christina Slyngsted Sweet.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harding Sweet, Grace Curtiss and Courtney Slyngsted; uncles, Michael Sweet, a Vietnam veteran, and Robert Slyngsted; and an aunt, Nina Andersen.

Spc. Sweet was serving with the United States Army assigned to the Third Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade based in Grafenwoehr, Germany. He was a heavy vehicle operator and a training specialist for the United States Army.

He especially enjoyed spending time with his brother, Kyle. He was a big video gamer and an excellent cook. He was a fan of the Phoenix Dragons. He loved his Husky dog, Douglas McDoggles, and enjoyed surfing.

He was a graduate of Maui High School in Hawaii and was a member of the NRA.

He is survived by his parents, Peter Sweet, a Marine Corps veteran, and Christina Sweet of Springfield; brothers, Kyle Sweet of Springfield, and Nathan Slyngsted of San Jose; sister, Zether Sweet, of San Jose; grandmother, Mary Neilsen, of Havre; uncles, Jay Sweet, a Vietnam veteran, Courtney Slyngsted, Mike Slyngsted, Danny Slyngsted and Curtis Slyngsted; aunts, Joey Wood of Montana, Genell Hinds, Julie and Kim; and several cousins, including Kevin Slyngsted, who is also serving in the U.S. Army.

Private family services will be held for Spc. Christopher P. Sweet, with the Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Holinga officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Ill.

The family is being served by Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home in Springfield.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home or memorial contributions may be made to the USO Memorial Fund, care of the funeral home.

The family of Spc. Christopher P. Sweet looks at his death as an honor, not as a tragedy. They are a patriotic family.

Please visit www.vancilmurphy.com to offer your condolences.