We are so sorry to hear about Jim. He was a great man. I remember him since I was a little girl. The softball tournement in Pentwater wont be the same without him.

Joyce & Family , 

I was deeply saddend to hear of Jim's passing. I remember how he made me laugh, back in the day,  when the two of you would hang out with your DHS family. May God bless you and your family.

So sorry to hear about this after being out of the country.  Joyce, Steve and Josh, please know that you are in our prayers. Cathy & John McNair

Jim was a GREAT GUY, I enjoyed playing ball with him and our team,and going to Mich. football games on Saturdays.We had some fun times together.
                 Hubel E. Freeman (Eddie)  Ypsilanti, Mich.

Dear Joyce, Josh and Steve... we were saddened to read of Jim's death.  It has been 19 years since Chester and I talked with Jim or you.  In case you can't recall, Chester played ball with Jim and we had the wonderful opportunity of spending a weekend at Jim and Linda's cottage in Pentwater.  Jim was such a wonderful guy and opened his heart and home to everyone.  We am so very sorry for you and his sons.  I was sick over the weekend and Chester had to work or we would've come to his service.  Please know that we have thought of all of you for years, and Linda too.  How very fast life goes and it seems like yesterday that our son was a preschooler and Jim and Chester were playing ball at Vet's park.  May God give you strength through all of your wonderful memories.  You may email us at chetb@umich.edu and jantbell@umich.edu
God bless you all with love and peace, Janet and Chester Bell and family

Jim will be missed by many.  He was a wonderful employee but also a great friend to me.  We talked alot throughout the years about family, friends, movies, etc. and shared many great laughs together.  He had a wonderful laugh and he loved you all very much.  My heart goes out to you.
Dianna

Joyce and family,

Jim left this world a better place. I hope your pain and sorrow eases as time passes.

Mark Allen

Joyce, Josh and Steve.  Jim always spoke of his family emotionally.  It was clear too me that he loved you. Training with him was always an experience. He could be aggravating at times (he could be a bit strong-willed when I wanted to do something my way - even though I was a rookie and he was a seasoned pro), but then he would always make me laugh and I liked him a lot. I was often amazed at his stories, and sometimes when I worked at Dearborn I would run out with him to watch the train go by.  I am very sorry to hear of your loss. 
Judith Galant

How could a man I only knew for 3 weeks, 11 years ago, bring me to tears today?  

Jim and Tom were my introduction to State employment.  They made learning a complicated and tedious subject manageable and even entertaining.  The hours flew by and I wanted to take them to my home county when training had finished.  Jim was funny but he was more than that.  He was also compassionate and helpful.  He wanted each of us to succeed not only in training but throughout our careers.  He engaged with us on a personal level that made us want to do well, not only for ourselves but to prove how powerful his teaching style was.  

I will always think of him whenever I see a tropical print shirt on a full bodied, bearded man.  And if that man is laughing, I'll be crying.  

To Jim's family, WOW!  You lucky, lucky people.  To Tom, I know your heart is breaking too but man, the two of you were good together.

To be loved and remembered is one of life's greatest blessings.  Jim's blessings were mighty.

I always called him Jimmy because during our mutual childhood as sons of men who worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company that was how he was known between our two families. I now reach back into my memory and rediscover that he was an endearing, sweet, romantically shy boy, protective of his own innocence all the better to protect his view of the good in others. Decades went by and I had not seen him again until last month (September) with Joyce when he seemed to have battled every infirmity besetting him in order to make the drive to our reunion. But you know? Despite their ravages he was still that boy, that loving, funny kid who beheld life with wonder--not a bewildered wonder but an accepting one. Many times are ahead of me when I shall think of Jimmy and feel blessed for having known him.

I am sorry for your loss. I have many warm memories of Jim and I enjoyed his sense of humor and wisdom. Jim valued his life with Joyce, Joshua and Stephen.

Im very sorry for your loss The pictures are just beautiful what a beautiful little boy Such great memories Karen Caldwell Darrells sister Take Good Care of Yourself

I think it is great the Muehlig's provides this opportunity for us to post remembrances about Jim.  In addition for those social services types that would like to write something about Jim and keep in touch.  Please visit the Social Services site on Facebook.
Joe Kyle

Jim was one of the kindest, sweetest, smartest people I've ever known.

Jimmy knew the best secrets about life. To love and to laugh. He knew how to do both and spent his life showing others how it is done. He will be greatly missed by all who came in contact with him. I believe he made me a better person.

Jim and I went through births, deaths, illnesses, marriage, job stress, victories, losses, and Trains. I had the pleasure of working closely with Jim as his partner for several years. We worked, played, laughed, and cried together. We had running gags that lasted for decades and most of the time they were funny only to us. I often saw a look of puzzlement on the face of others when I tried to explain something that Jim and I found amusing. As much fun as we had, we took our work very seriously and we did a good job. We just happened to have fun doing it. His retirement did not go exactly as he had visualized it when we talked about when we were young, but I know that he cherished every minute that he got to spend with Joyce. 
Rest in Peace, Rev. Jim. I will miss you.

Joyce and boys,so sorry for your loss. Jim was a trainor in the OTSD Detroit office and I admired his wit and wisdom greatly. If smiles were currency Jim would have garnered many millions, surely the good will he produced was amazing. God bless.

Joyce,
We had so much fun over the years and even more fun recounting the things we did, said and saw.
As so many people have said, Jim will be missed by many friends.  I am thankful I was lucky enough to call him my friend.
I love you.
Jan Kyle Eichstead

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

Joyce, Prayers are with you and your family.  I've know Jim for a long time and I know he will be missed.  Now you have your own angel looking down to help you on your way.

Jim was one of the most loving guys I knew.  He loved Joyce and his kids more than anything (yes, Chessie and Sophia too)...You'll be greatly missed my dear friend.

Joyce and Family.  There are not many words that come to mind at this time.  I'll miss him, he was a good guy and you were blessed to have spent time with him. Now you have your own angel.

"Jim combined an amazing sense of humor with an equal sense of wonder and compassion.  He was oen of the greatest story tellers that ever  walked the earth."  Tom Portney, South Carolina

Joyce,
I can remember Jim was my trainer to be an AP worker. Ran into him alot over the years. Finally ended up at Washtenaw County and here I remain. It was good knowing both of you for such a long time.
Linda Caillouet

1 of many people's favorite people! To know him was to love him! We were all blessed to have known Jim.  I regret not seeing him lately, but always loved in thought.  love-le

OBITUARY

James Michael Sweeney

17 October, 1947 – 17 October, 2011

Muehlig Funeral Chapel

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