Arthur Sweet

Arthur Sweet, M.D. passed away peacefully on Friday, April 4, 2014. Dr. Sweet practiced orthopaedic surgery in Decatur, IL for over 40 years. When he was 10 years old he fell down while ice skating and broke his wrist. Once the fracture was casted the pain was gone. This was when he decided that he wanted to repair bones. Arthur (Art) was born on August 30, 1920, in Chicago, IL. He was a lifelong diehard Cubs fan and unfortunately during his 93 years, didn't get to see them win the World Series. Dr. Sweet attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and received a BS in chemistry. He then received his medical degree in 1944 from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. After graduation he interned at Cook County Hospital and then completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Northwestern University Wesley Memorial Hospital. He was board certified in Orthopaedic Surgery by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Arthur served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during World War II, and he also served in a MASH unit during the Korean War. Dr. Sweet was an active member of the medical staff at both St. Mary's Hospital and Decatur Memorial Hospital and a past President of the medical staff at St. Mary's. Arthur was named medical director of the Easter Seal Treatment Center when it opened in 1958. Dr. Sweet was the President of the University of Illinois Medical Alumni Council in 1993 and a recipient of the University of Illinois Alumni Association Loyalty Award in 1994. Art loved walking, fishing, track and field, and all Fighting Illini sports. Surviving are his wife, Natalie; daughter Margaret and husband Gary and granddaughters Lindsey, Lily, Julia, Leah, and Kara; son Barrett and daughter Chloe Sweet-Branta; nephews Mickey Jaffe (Cheri), Dr. Larry Sweet (Judy), Dr. Robert Sweet (Sharon); nieces Nancy Olefsky and Joan Siegan (Kenneth); many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Charles (Chuck); sister Mary Jaffe; brothers Sol and Bernard Sweet; niece Shelley Broutman and great-niece Laney Landaker. Thank you to the wonderful staff and care given at Fair Havens nursing home. Private graveside services were held on Monday, April 7, in Chicago, Illinois. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes, Decatur, IL, assisted the family with the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Arthur's memory may be sent to: Ronald McDonald House Kids at Heart, Inc., 610 N. Seventh Street, Springfield, IL, 62702; Easter Seals Center, Inc. 2715 N. 27th, Decatur, IL, 62526; Decatur Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation, P.O. Box 633, Decatur, IL, 62525 or to the charity of donor's choice. "
}