Matthew “Matt” Thomas Sweeney, 82, of Naples, Florida, went to live with Jesus on March 18, 2022.
Matt was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Thomas Joseph Sweeney and Anna Allen Sweeney. His mother passed away when he was a baby, and his father was then married to Orpha Sweeney McDonald. Matt grew up with his sister, Joanne Sweeney Williams and his brother, John Sweeney, both of whom preceded him in passing. Matt attended Truman State University to study human resources. He was a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. Matt had a successful career as a Human Resources Director. Matt’s Catholic faith was an essential part of his life.
Matt has two daughters, Dianne Sweeney Karl and Karen Sweeney Zuber. Later in life, Matt met and married his best friend and soulmate, Roberta Kleine Sweeney. Matt gained three additional daughters, Karen Peterson, Kathryn Houston, and Krista Overstreet and two sons, Kenneth Rischbieter, Jr. and Kurt Rischbieter. Being a kind and dependable husband and father was of the utmost importance to Matt and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family. As a father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great grandfather, Matt was loving and devoted. He was a man full of wisdom and was helpful with advice. He enjoyed reading and having deep conversations about so many subjects. He was always a ray of sunshine to his loved ones!
Here are some funny earlier memories Ron and Dianne Karl would like to share with everyone. He liked pickled pigs’ feet. We will never forget opening the refrigerator to see the light from glistening through the glass displaying the grossness within. Dad loved Imo’s pizza and would order it from time to time. He would always pay, of course….two extra large pizzas and a salad. Ron would eat all of one and some of Matt’s pizza too, plus a large portion of the salad. Matt never said a word. That was his magic- making you feel completely welcomed. Matt would always pay for dinners. When we would go out as a family, he would always pay…there was never even a question (even though we tried to pay). Once, Ron remembered when we were down in Florida with Grace and Kaylun, before they got married, and we went out to a restaurant. It occurred to Ron, “Now I am the dad (Matt).” He had to laugh a little to himself. That was the kind of father and role model Matt was. Dad sent Ron and Dianne on a vacation to Florida after we had been married a couple of years. We guess he wanted to make sure it was going to work! Dad had his spot at the old house that he sat in every day. He had actually worn a spot in the carpet from his heel being in the same spot…night after night! He was meticulous with his bill paying routine. He was not mechanically inclined, but occasionally he would get something completed! Ron remembers never knowing what to call him- Mr. Sweeney seemed too formal and Matt seemed too informal, so for years he would just avoid calling him anything and he got pretty good at it! Finally, he cornered Ron one day and he started calling him Matt. Somehow Ron never felt worthy of being that personal, but it got easier with time. After all, Matt considered spouses a big part of the family. When we met Bobbie…we remember him coming home saying that he met THE GAL, and he said he really liked her. Little by little, they started hanging out more and more. We remember inviting Bobbie over for Christmas morning. Dad came around the corner in that silly blue robe of his and maybe he got just a little embarrassed when he saw Bobbie sitting there! It must have been love at first sight. We were so happy for them when they decided to get married. They had a beautiful and intimate ceremony in Hawaii and then began their incredible love story…
Matt and Roberta moved to Naples, Florida where they enjoyed the warm weather and plenty of fun adventures together. They had many favorite locations where they would walk along the boardwalk to admire the boats, beautiful homes, and of course, the amazing ocean views. He and Roberta shared a once in a lifetime love, full of patience, kindness, and dedication to one another. He will be forever missed.
In addition to his wife and best friend Roberta and their children and spouses, Matt is survived by his grandchildren, Grace Karl Rice, Owen Matthew Karl, Christian Zuber, Faith Zuber, Cara Johnson, Kristi Peterson, Jon Peterson, Caitlyn Peterson, Anna Villaume, Robert Peterson, Joseph Peterson, Marie Peterson, Cole Rischbieter, Dane Rischbieter, Alexandria Overstreet, Christina Overstreet, and Julia Overstreet, and his eight great grandchildren.
There will be a visitation at Kutis Funeral Home in Affton, Missouri on Thursday, April 7 from 5-7 pm. His family will be present to welcome loved ones. Please join us in celebrating Matt’s life at the funeral mass at Ascension Catholic Church in Chesterfield, Missouri on Friday, April 8 at 10 am. There will be a graveside prayer immediately following the mass at Sunset Memorial Park in Affton, Missouri.