Barbara Sweet

BARBARA JO "BEEJ" HINES SWEET

Cedar Rapids

Barbara Jo "Beej" Hines Sweet, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids. Funeral services: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. A visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Barb was born April 30, 1937, the oldest child of Philip and Milada (Rompotl) McKim, in Cedar Rapids. She attended Arthur Grade School and graduated from Franklin High School in 1955. Barb was married to Michael George in 1958 and they later divorced. She then married Michael Bonney in 1964 and they later divorced in 1978. In 1986, Barb married Keith A. Hines. He passed away in 1995. Finally she found the love her life, and in 1999, she married Craig Eugene Sweet. He passed away in 2012.

Barb joined Cedar Rhapsody Chapter Sweet Adelines in 1968. In 1977, the chorus competed in international competition, placing eighth in London, England. She worked hard her entire life from radiology at St. Luke's Hospital from 1963 to 1970, and then to Erskine X-ray office until 1978. In 1980, Barb started at Allen Motor Co. as administrative assistant to the two owners, Sam Johnson Sr. and Allen Chapman. She retired in 1997 with a life full of great memories, both in the company and in the public.

Barb always looked forward to her Friday lunch dates with her girlfriends, Colleen, Patt, Dorothy and any other "sweet addies" who could join them. She enjoyed many hobbies, including bingo and sitting at her kitchen table watching her birds. (By the way, Amy, the bird feeders need filled.) Barb also was an avid reader, thanks to Lynda Burgess. She never missed an Iowa Hawkeye basketball or football game on TV.

Barb always had a smile on her face, a song in her heart and never met a stranger. She will be truly missed by many.

Survivors include her children, Stephen (Melissa) Bonney and Amy Cejka; stepdaughter, Jessica (Tom) Hines House; stepgranddaughter, Shalene Schlenker; great stepgranddaughter, Ava Houston; stepgrandson, Zach Sweet; stepgreat-grandchildren, Tracy, Grace, Isaac, Noah and Faith; sister, Lyn McKim; sister-in-law, Marcia McKim; special cousin, Patricia (Jim) Stegianes, who Barb could set her watch by in receiving a card in the mail every Thursday from that always brought a smile to her face; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. And we can't forget her two grand cats, Hank "The Tank" and Harley; close personal friends, Jim Vick, Colleen Warren, Patt Thompson, Dorothy Beatty, Mike "Pops" and Lynda Burgess.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John McKim; and grandparents, John V. and Zdeka Rompotl and Loomis and Rhoda McKim.

Special thank-you to Dr. Sharma and her staff, along with the great people at The Gardens of Cedar Rapids. What would we do without you? God Bless.

Special thank-you to several of Mom's favorites at The Gardens: Kristi Elwick, Sabrina "Candy" Kauffman, Michelle Ehr, Jackie Wicks, Ashley Pierce, Cari Janssen and "Miss" Tina Fisher. The care they provided to our mother was above all our expectations. Thanks ladies!

Memorials may be directed to The Gardens of Cedar Rapids or Cedar Rapids Fire Department Fire Station 4 in memory of Barb.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.